KIRBYJON CALDWELL
PLEADS GUILTY NEWS
POLYTICKS
DR. WALTER KIMBROUGH
REP. HAROLD DUTTON
Dillard President issues TSU presidential warning.
Volume 89, issue 20 March 12, 2020
Mystery undermines election of state rep.
facebook.com/defendernetwork twitter.com/defendernetwork
instagram.com/defendernetwork defendernetwork.com
FREE
2 | March 12, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN On the web
FIT & FINE
Michael Bloomberg
Dr. Seun Adigun, D.C. Age: 33 Occupation: Chiropractor, biomechanist, 2x Olympic athlete Extra Wellness Center, LLC Education: UH, Texas Chiropractic College Major: B.S. Kinesiology M.Ed. Physical Education M.S. Exercise and Health B.S. Human Biology Doctorate of Chiropractic Motto: “Nothing is impossible.”
LEARN… Fitness advice from a doctor’s perspective.
On DefenderNetwork.com Bloomberg gives $2M to reach Black voters Michael Bloomberg may be out of the presidential race, but he’s continuing to put his money where his mouth is. Bloomberg has donated $2 million to a nonprofit group called Collective Future to register 500,000 Black voters ahead of the November election. Read which states are targeted. Texas No. 2 for Black entrepreneurs A recent study reveals which states have the best environment for Black entrepreneurs and Texas rose
near the top. The ranking factored in metrics such as startup growth, cost-of-living, Black business success and social equality. How to get your side hustle on Speaking of entrepreneurs, many seldom get their start by quitting their day jobs and starting a company with their free time. Yankee Candle, Under Armour and Apple, are all companies that were first started as side projects. Find out how you can get your side hustle on while doing your main hustle.
Check out these stories and more at www.DefenderNetwork.com
Message from the Publisher Originally this page was created to give our readers insight into what’s happening on the web at defendernetwork.com. I had planned to stop writing the Message from the Publisher this week but staff said we should continue it. So this week, we are returning this page to its true purpose yet keeping a shorter version of the Message from the Publisher.
Thank you state elected officials for addressing the issues of long lines for voting now before the May run-offs and November elections. This week’s Defender features the second edition of Pollyticks. Let us know what you think of the centerfold. Drop us a note at news@defendernetwork.com
WOW! Pastor Caldwell The news of his pleading guilty was shocking and the consequences are big. Now let’s wait and see how the rest of the story unfolds.
IG: @Seun_MsAmazing Twitter: @Seun_MsAmazing Facebook: @seunmsamazing Read more on Friday about Dr. Seun at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine email: fitnfine@defendernetwork.com
TSU woes continue There is still a lot going on. With spring break fast approaching on the campus of Texas Southern University, maybe there can be a reset button.
Sonny Messiah Jiles
The political season is in full gear It is wrong the shenanigans State Rep. Harold Dutton is having to go through in his House District 42 political race. I hope they fix that problem so it does not happen to anyone else.
HISD superintendent weathering the storm Between the projected TEA takeover, the FBI investigation and the coronavirus, Dr. Grenita Lathan is staying focused on our kids. Thank you for understanding the district’s No.1 priority, our children. Love ya!
The Defender would like to give credit for an Olympic story we ran last week: Story author Michael Douglas and photo by Michael Thomas.
March 12, 2020 |
| 3
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News DERRICK MITCHELL
CHERYL CREUZOT
Resigns from TSU Board of Regents because he can’t work with them.
First Black woman named to Port of Houston Authority Board.
Kirbyjon Caldwell awaits sentencing WHAT’S NEXT Pay victims: $1,951,478 Sentencing: July 22, 2020 Prison term: 5-7 years Fine: $205,000 Supervised release: Up to 3 years
Houston megachurch Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell will find out his fate July 22 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, along with investment advisor Gregory Smith, were accused of selling nearly $3.5 million in worthless pre-revolutionary Chinese bonds to the elderly and vulnerable investors. Smith, a Shreveport investment advisor, pleaded guilty to the same charge in July 2019 and awaits sentencing on May 4. Prosecutors said the pair conspired to use their influence and status to persuade multiple victims to invest approximately $3.5 million with them. The bonds, prosecutors said, were worthless. “These defendants used their positions as religious leaders and investment advisors to defraud Louisiana residents – many of whom are elderly and retired,” said U.S. Attorney David Joseph. “In doing so, the
Kirbyjon Caldwell
defendants abused the trust and respect of their victims for the sole purpose of stealing their money. This type of deceit can be devastating for victims, especially when life
savings are lost. “My office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who use confidence schemes to prey upon the elderly and people of faith.”
TSU IN CRISIS
Dillard president warns potential TSU candidates The president of Dillard University in New Orleans issued a scathing warning to any potential presidential candidate who may be considering coming to TSU. Walter Kimbrough, who has helmed Dillard since 2012, slammed the board’s recent actions in the firing of president Dr. Austin Lane in an op-ed published in Diverse Education. “The entire board must be replaced. Immediately. All Texas Southern supporters should pressure [Texas Gov. Greg Abbott] to make this happen,” Kimbrough wrote. He recalled reports of an October board meeting, during which one regent, Ron Price, reportedly complained of being dropped off a block away from the university during homecoming. He also recounted reports of complaints that some board members sat in the back row at the Democratic presidential debate held at TSU in September. Another regent, Wesley G. Terrell, said the regents “can terminate everybody, even down to the janitor, if it’s the will of the board.”
Walter Kimbrough
Shortly after, the board approved new bylaws giving them the power to do just that. “Let me issue this public warning to anyone who would consider being president at Texas Southern. Stay away until they clean the board,” Kimbrough wrote. “Don’t get caught up in the idea of wanting to be a president, because any president working under this
board is asking for a tenure filled with micromanaged misery.” Kimbrough said he felt compelled to speak up because HBCU presidents often have no voice. Read the entire Op-ed at: DefenderNetwork.com
Law school in jeopardy The American Bar Association’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar found that the embattled Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law remains out of compliance with a key admissions standard. The section council also asked the school to appear at its May meeting as it determines “whether to impose sanctions, including removal of approval.” According to a recently posted decision, the section council decided at its Feb. 20-22 meeting that the law school is noncompliant with Standard 501(b) requiring it to “only admit applicants who appear capable of satisfactorily completing its program of legal education and being admitted to the bar.” The school is also out of compliance with two interpretations of that standard, 501-1 and 501-2, the section’s decision states. The council has asked the law school to submit a report by April 1 and appear before the council at its May 14-16 meeting.
4 | March 12, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News
Dr. Jerome Adams
Official says coronavirus contained in some areas Defender News Service
The United States surgeon general said he thinks the coronavirus outbreak is being contained in certain areas of the country even as cases of the virus rise across America. “If we had massive numbers of cases we would be seeing more deaths,” Surgeon General Jerome Adams said on CNN. “And so we actually feel pretty good that some parts of the country have contained it just like when you look at the flu. “And when we look at the flu tracker, some parts of the country are having much more severe f lu seasons. Some are having very mild flu seasons. The same
NEWSBRIEFS TIME HONORS BLACK WOMEN IN “WOMEN OF THE YEAR” This month Time magazine released its “100 Women of the Year,” and it includes several Black women. Time used to annually celebrate the “Man of the Year,” and in 1999 changed it to “Person of the Year.” But even with a more politically correct name, women were still severely under-represented. To address that gender disparity, the iconic magazine has now come out with its 100 “Women of the Year” list, which is meant to highlight women who’ve shaped history. The impressive list of honorees includes Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Serena Williams, Marsha P. Johnson, Toni Morrison, Billie Holiday and more.
thing for coronavirus.” Adams’ comments come as cases in the U.S. have increased to more than 700 with at least 22 deaths. He said that Americans should not panic as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases grows. “We’ve been saying this all along. Initially, we had a posture of containment so that we could give people time to prepare for where we are right now,” Adams said. “Now, we’re shifting into a mitigation phase, which means we’re helping communities understand, you’re going to see more cases. Unfortunately, you’re going to see more deaths, but that doesn’t mean that we should panic.”
BERNIE SANDERS’ NEW ADVISER APOLOGIZES Phillip Agnew, a newly appointed senior adviser for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, is under fire over uncovered tweets from 2009 where he spoke despairingly about former First Lady, Michelle Obama’s looks, while also touting conspiracy theories regarding America’s involvement in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. Many of his tweets also touted sexist, misogynist ideals calling women who criticize him “man-hatin” and proclaiming excitement regarding the prospect of a program showing women in their lingerie.“I am not my tweets from 2009,” he said in his recent apology. “Still words have power to heal & to harm...”
Lawmakers address voting issues Local legislators are addressing voting issues that occurred during the March 3 primary election. Long lines and malfunctioning voting machines were a problem throughout the state, including in Harris County. Houston State Sen. Borris Miles said the problems “reeked of voter suppression.” He met with Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman and plans to meet with the Harris County Democratic and Republican chairs and Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs, “to get to the bottom” of the problems. Miles said he, Trautman and State Sen. Carol Alvarado had a long, frank discussion on the issues and will address them in the next legislative session. “The people responsible for [the] debacle will be held accountable and will need to explain their actions and bring forth solutions on how to move forward,” Miles said. “But for now, we will regroup, start a campaign to make sure the May runoff election runs smoothly and begin educating voters about where they can vote during the November general election.” Houston State Rep. Garnet Coleman, chair of the Texas Legislative Study Group (LSG) Caucus, said the LSG, Texas Legislative Black Caucus and Mexican American Legislative Caucus will conduct a joint hearing on issues voters faced. Hearing details are to be announced. “The long lines that kept voters waiting till after midnight on Election Day to vote at Texas Southern University in the district I represent is
NY GOV. SLAMMED OVER HAND SANITIZER MADE BY PRISONERS New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is taking heat for his recent announcement that the state would manufacture its own brand of hand sanitizer, “NYS Clean.” While the effort to address the shortage of product and rising prices amid the coronavirus was noble, many activists are blasting the fact that the production of the sanitizer relies heavily on the back of prison labor. Inmates can be paid anywhere from 16 cents per hour to a maximum of 65 cents an hour for production of the sanitizer. Inmates can also earn a bonus of up to $1.30 a day for productivity. The Legal Aid Society condemned the move. “This is nothing less than slave labor and it must end,” the group said.
The long lines that kept voters waiting till after midnight on Election Day to vote at Texas Southern University in the district I represent is unacceptable,” State Rep. Garnet Coleman
unacceptable,” Coleman said. “It may have been the worst at TSU but long lines that deterred people from voting were far from an isolated problem on Tuesday in Texas.” Trautman apologized to voters earlier and said her office took full responsibility. She said running an election is a “balancing act” where political parties contract with her office to administer the election. “The responsibility of my office is to provide equipment and to tabulate the results,” she said. “We did the best with what we had and what we believed was fair and equitable by allocating equal amounts of equipment to each party.”
VOLUME 89 - NUMBER 20 - MARCH 12, 2020 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler
Associate Editor Marilyn Marshall
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
People Editor Aswad Walker
Creative Director Michael Grant
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison
Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
March 12, 2020 |
| 5
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News Dr. Grenita Lathan gives State of Schools HISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan said the district is ready to take on anything that is coming its way. “We have weathered many storms in our district,” said Lathan during an HISD Foundation State of the Schools speech. “Many storms.” Lathan issued a call to action urging supporters to work together by employing, “One Voice and One Vision” to equitably raise the standard of excellence for all students in the district, regardless of their socioeconomic status. She focused on the future during her address, but she also spoke about the recent past. That includes recent FBI and IRS activity at district headquarters and at the chief operating officer’s home, which led to him being placed on paid administrative leave. “Any time there’s a concern as it relates to personnel, we make decisions of what happens to them in the interim while matters are being looked into,” said Lathan. Meanwhile, the Texas Education Agency’s planned takeover of HISD is held up in court. Many believe the takeover is inevitable, however, despite some student achievement and other improvements. “But our focus has to remain on every child that we serve,” said Lathan. “We have over 210,000 students that arrive to us daily, seeking and wanting to receive a quality education.”
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Complicating matters of late are concerns over the coronavirus. The district has already devoted an entire section on its website to the illness. “And we’ve communicated information to our team members [and] to our parents,” said Lathan. HISD is asking all students, families and staff to take extra precautions when traveling over spring break and to self-quarantine for 14 days if returning from countries identified in the CDC’s travel warnings. “If the virus continues to grow and we were to become impacted, we’re ready to provide services to our students,” said Lathan. “That might be through distance learning where students can utilize laptops, go online.” Lathan also told the crowd of about 700 that despite the challenges faced by the district, innovative teachers, inspiring leaders, and resilient students have helped HISD earn its current high “B” rating, with a score of 88 under the TEA’s accountability system. “I appreciate everyone in HISD who has worked diligently to achieve an impressive list of notable accomplishments,” Lathan said. “We have expanded access to pre-K classes for our youngest learners and created productive mentorship programs for our students. Across the district, we are expanding and transforming educational opportunities for our scholars at every grade level.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks during an event at Emancipation Park highlighting U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (2nd row, left) and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s efforts toward securing an Emancipation National Historic Trail designation. A bill sponsored by Cornyn in the Senate and Jackson Lee in the House provides for the study of the trail as a 51-mile route from the former Osterman Building and Reedy Chapel in Galveston to Freedmen’s Town and Emancipation Park in Houston, following the path of many newly freed Texas slaves in 1865.
Grenita Lathan
6 | March 12, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
| 7
DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB PollyTicks VOTER SUPPRESSION?
DEAR PRESIDENT TRUMP:
Leading the nation, Texas has closed 750 polling places since the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013 and eliminated federal oversight of voting changes. In Harris County, 52 polling places closed.
Are you ignoring the lessons learned from the deadly 1918 flu pandemic that killed millions?
JOE BIDEN OWES BLACKS Joe Biden (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Former Vice President Joe Biden is attracting Black Voters in large numbers.With the Michigan primary in the bag, Biden owes Black voters, especially Black women. The question is, how will he repay the debt? Some say he may invite someone Black to share the Democratic presidential ticket. Some of the VP contenders are California Sen. Kamala Harris, Florida Congresswoman Val Demings and former Georgia State Rep. Stacey Abrams. Bets are it will be someone from a swing state. Stay tuned.
Kamala Harris
option stating it would allow voters to make a more informed decision. According to the Texas Tribune, in Harris County, for example, there were more than a half million Democratic straight-ticket voters and just over 400,000 Republican straight-ticket voters.
Something’s fishy In the Democratic race for Texas House District 142 currently held by State Rep. Harold Dutton, something is wrong when a Spanish surname candidate Natasha Ruiz, a truck driver in Colorado whose real name is Natasha Demming Ruiz, received 20% of the votes but doesn’t know how she got on the ballot. Dutton, who has served in the House since 1985, could have possibly won without a runoff if Ruiz was not in the race. However,
with 45% of the vote, Dutton faces Houston City Councilman Jerry Davis, who had 25% of the vote. Dutton may ask the district attorney to investigate. According to a Texas Tribune report, a copy of Demming’s Harris County voter registration record along with a phone number that is disconnected matches the paperwork. The Harris County Democratic Party needs to fix this problem. (Read more: Texas Tribune | bit.ly/harolddutton)
What’s Up, Rodney?
Stacey Abrams
The Texas Democratic Party federal lawsuit filed in Laredo claims the move to end straightticket voting discriminates against Hispanic and Black voters. With the prospects of a blue wave hitting Texas in the foreseeable future, the Texas Republicans during the 2017 legislative session got rid of the straight-ticket
Texas members of Congress are over the age of 60 and at risk of the coronavirus.
Harold Dutton
Val Demings
Texas Democratic Party sues state
19 of 38
Well, the primary election is over and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis won with 66% of the vote. The list of haters is long due to Ellis’ stance on certain issues. His campaign for bail reform impacted bail bondsmen, he pushed for minority disparity studies resulting in a more equitable share of government contracts, angering some prime contractors and he supported a fair share of Harvey flood dollars in poor neighborhoods. There are allegations that those against Ellis funded his opponent Maria (Terri) Jackson. The Defender is still investigating whether Republicans financially backed Jackson in the race. On the other hand, Ellis needs to get the African art situation straight.
According to a recent statement released by the commissioner, the art is being stored discreetly in a taxpayer-funded shed because the “original agreement was not updated” to accurately reflect the vast amount of artwork that ended up in the facility in the fall of 2018. Ellis has hired attorney Cris Feldman of Feldman and Feldman to investigate the matter who is working with Bill Miller of Hillco Partners in Austin. Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis
Coronavirus Texas Economic Impact (snapshot)
CANCELLED:
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 24-day event
$391 million SXSW
10-day event
$356 million 2019 Revenue figures
8 | March 12, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
Blacks poorer today than five years ago NNPA Newswire
African Americans were more likely to be unemployed than Americans overall in 2018 than they were in 2013, according to a new study that details the economic and financial progress African Americans have made over five years. Researchers at Lending Tree, a website that connects borrowers with lenders, found that while unemployment decreased for African Americans by 36 percent – from 16.6% in 2013 to 10.6% in 2018 — it was still five percentage points higher than the unemployment rate for Americans as a whole. The unemployment rate for Americans overall in 2013 was 9.7%, which fell to 5.9% in 2018. “I don’t want to get political here, but I would hope that this report would color how people view the approaches that the parties and candidates take toward legislative and social issues, and how those things are framed,” lead researcher Kali McFadden told NNPA Newswire. “It certainly demonstrates that, even though people talk about how much better economically things are, African
KEY FINDINGS Black income 33% below national average. 2018 median household income Blacks - $40,155 All others - $60,293 Homeownership, 2013 to 2018 4.7% drop for Blacks 1.7% for all others
Americans are more in the hole than they were five years ago.” Study authors concluded that there are four metro areas in which Black homeowners have closed the gap within 20% – all of them are in the South, specifically in the Carolinas. What McFadden said she found most striking is the advances made in education by African Americans, which didn’t translate into more economic prosperity in the Black community. “In almost every metric we examined, African Americans realized slower growth
CLASSIFIED BID ADVERTISMENT AND INVITATION TO BIDDERS FORT BEND MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO 131
TPWD RECREATION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT # 50-000503 SEALED PROPOSALS addressed to Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 131 (Owner) for construction of the Hardscape & Landscape to serve Southern Colony Recreation Center Park, LJA Job No. 1751-1901, will be received at the office of LJA Engineering, Inc., 2929 Briarpark Drive, Suite 150, Houston, Texas 77042, until 11:00 AM, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020, and then publicly opened and read aloud. Copies of the Plans and Specifications may be obtained from the Engineer for a non-refundable fee of $100.00 per set ($50.00 for electronic copy). Plans may also be obtained through the LJA website: https://bids.lja.com/ Bidders can view Plans and Specifications at the offices of LJA Engineering, Inc., 2929 Briarpark Drive, Suite 150, Houston, Texas 77042. LJA Contact: Jacob Clark, PLA, LEED Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 131 will hold a NON-MANDATORY pre-bid conference for bidders, contractors and subcontractors at the OFFICES OF SK LAW, 1980 POST OAK BLVD, SUITE 1380, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77056, at 11:00 AM, TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020. All bidders, contractors and subcontractors are expected to familiarize themselves with all existing site conditions. The project site is located at the Southern Colony Recreation Center Park, 406 Southern Colony Avenue, Rosharon, TX. Owner encourages to the greatest extent feasible participation of all HUB, DBE, Women-Owned and Section 3 firms in the bidding and construction of this project.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT 1313 MAIN STREET STANDBY GENERATOR The Houston Downtown Management District (the “Downtown District”) will receive sealed bids for the 1313 Main Street Standby Generator Project, located in Downtown Houston, Texas. Bids will be received until 10:00 AM, local time on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 by the Director of Construction, Downtown District. Bids received after this time will not be accepted. Bids are to be delivered to 1313 Main Street Houston, Texas 77002. Beginning Tuesday, at 9:00am on March 10, 2020, Bid Documents will be available at www.civcastusa.com. Any Addenda will be distributed through www.civcastusa.com. Bid Documents may also be examined at the MBDA (Minority Business Development Agency Business) Business Center (2302 Fannin Street, Suite 165, Houston, TX 77002) or viewed online at isqft.com.
A MANDATORY Pre-bid Conference will be held at 2.00 PM on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at the project location at 1313 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002. All bidders (general contractors) are invited to attend. Bids will be ruled non-responsive if received from a bidder who did not attend the Pre-bid Conference. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the Pre-bid Conference. Bidders shall comply with City Ordinance 95-336 (March 29, 1995) and Exec. Order No.1-2 (June 14, 1995), and City of Houston Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance Division Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Procedures (June 1995). The successful Bidder will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve an M/W/S/DBE participation goal of 20 percent.
Five cities with least overall gains for Blacks • Houma-Thibodaux, La. • Shreveport-Bossier City, La. • Hammond, La. • Goldsboro, N.C. • Hilton Head Island-Beaufort, S.C.
than the country as a whole, but they did outpace their peers when it comes to higher education,” McFadden noted. Black residents of Riverside, Calif., Pine Bluff, Ark. and San Antonio have closed the gap with the whole of their communities when it comes to earning higher education degrees.
Residents of Charlottesville, Va. have seen that gap widen the most: 66%. “The education findings to me really were the most striking, the most disheartening and frightening,” McFadden said. “You know, we’d really hope that education would create a more even playing field and the fact that African Americans are exceeding the growth rate in higher education degrees shows a lot of things. It shows achievement, and it shows that families are directing their children, and it shows a lot of groundswell for entering the professional working world. “The fact that other economic indicators aren’t keeping pace with that is really startling. And, I don’t have a good reason for why that is. We know about workplace bias, and we know about resume bias.” For those attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), McFadden believes the lack of funding at those schools contributes to high student debt. “HBCUs just don’t have the endowments that the most prestigious schools have. We have reports that show where parents are borrowing to send their kids to school, and those debts are harder to pay,” McFadden added.
March 12, 2020 |
| 9
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
Mother writes painful obit
Deborah Wells hopes her message will save someone’s life A mother in Louisiana wrote a painfully honest obituary for her only child after he was shot and killed, writing that she hoped her words would show young people that “the streets offer nothing but heartache, pain, and ultimately death.” Robert Wells III, 22, was killed in New Orleans on Feb. 16. “We hope and pray that Robert never bestowed this kind of senseless violence upon anyone else’s child,” his mother, Deborah Wells, wrote in his obituary. “And if this obituary can offer the opportunity for another young person to realize the streets offer nothing but heartache, pain, and ultimately death, Robert’s life will not have been in vain.” There are few details about his death right now and Wells said she doesn’t care to know much more about what police are
investigating as a homicide. “It’s not going to bring my son back,” she said. “I don’t know what he did or could have possibly done to deserve to be shot and killed, but these kids that are doing this stuff, they know not what they do, and I think it’s just the way society has just become so callous for each other.” In the obituary, Wells wrote that her son’s life ended almost instantly while alone in a car. He was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds. “He was a wonderful, funny, intelligent, talented and compassionate young man until the false desires of fast money and instant gratification lured him away from the morals and ethics instilled in him from a young age,” Wells wrote. Wells said he was a changed person. She estimates the change in his behavior
started when he was about 15, but she can’t pinpoint a single moment. Wells thinks it could have been a number of things: the divorce between her and her ex-husband, a neighborhood change after Hurricane Katrina or maybe a different group of friends. Whatever the turning point may have been, Wells said she can’t blame one person or one thing. “I always had prayed to God that I wouldn’t be one of the parents that I obviously have become,” she said. “A statistic.” Despite several attempts to help her son change his course, “Tough Love did not deter his mindset to stay involved in the streets,” Wells wrote. “We always hoped that one day his parents’ Love and commitment to him would prevail and he would abandon that life. It did not.” Instead of a service for Robert, Wells
Deborah and Ronald Wells
asked people to make a “small donation in his name to any at-risk youth programs.”
Honey Pot founder rebounds after racist trolls
Baristas Mercedes Dillon, left, and Tay Winters prepare beverages at Starbucks. -Gerald Herbert
Starbucks pays some Blacks less than whites
Black baristas at some of Starbucks airport locations say they are paid less than white baristas and are subjected to other types of discrimination. The median income for Black baristas at airport Starbucks in the United States is $1.85 less than for white baristas, according to findings by Unite Here, a labor group that reviewed wage data of more than 2,000 Starbucks airport employees
from February to October 2019. At some airport stores — like Starbucks inside of George Bush Intercontinental Airport — the wage disparity for Black workers is even greater. Unite Here found that Black baristas here bring in $2.84 less than white baristas. Further, some Starbucks employees say they are discriminated against because of sexual orientation. A separate study found that many
Starbucks workers are impoverished and struggling to survive. Starbucks is not buying Unite Here’s claims. “We do not discriminate against any associate based on race, ethnicity, national origin, LGBTQ status or any other reason,” HMSHost, a food service company that operates Starbucks stores at 27 U.S. airports, said. “Our fair treatment policy ensures an open and inclusive environment.”
A Black business owner whose company was flooded with racist reviews after being featured in a Target ad said she’s grateful for the controversy and the growth it offered her company. Beatrice Dixon, who started the Honey Pot Company in 2012, said she’s not upset after dozens of racist reviews were posted about her feminine hygiene products after Target ran an ad in which she said she hoped her success could pave the way for Black girls. Dixon was featured in a Target commercial called “Founders We Believe In: The Honey Pot,” in which she spoke about how difficult it was for her to start her line. A number of people posted on the consumer review website Trustpilot accusing Dixon and Target of discriminating against white people in the commercial. The website suspended posts for the company’s page and launched an investigation. Dixon soon saw an outp our ing of support and her products sold out. “I’m thankful for it because it kind of shows the reality we live,” Dixon said.
Beatrice Dixon
10 | March 12, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports QUOTABLE
“Keep fighting, keeping pushing. That’s all you can do at this point. Keep your head up.” — James Harden on the Rockets recent string of losses
Sports Briefs XFL referee makes mistake The Seattle Dragons and the XFL agree that officials failed to allow the Dragons a chance to tie the game against the Roughnecks with two seconds remaining on the clock. In fact, officiating supervisor Wes Booker, who was in charge of the officials, was reassigned about an hour after the game for not acting appropriately. PVAMU honors women in sports In recognition of Women’s History Month for International Women’s Day, the PVAMU athletic department honored interim athletic director Alicia Pete, women’s basketball coach Sandy Pugh, soccer coach Sonia Curvelo, volleyball coach TaCho Tyler and women’s track and cross country coach. SWAC gets new home The SWAC home office has announced it will move into new headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. The league has purchased a 16,000-square feet corporate office near downtown that is three stories and has more than 40 individual offices and two large conference rooms.
5X
UH coach Kelvin Sampson made Cougar history with his fifth straight 20-win season.
MARCH MADNESS BOUND UH Cougars hope to defy odds in tournament Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser. -Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer
By Terrance Harris
A year ago this time, there was serious Final Four buzz around the seniorladen University of Houston Cougars men’s basketball program. Coach Kelvin Sampson’s explosive squad was the talk of college basketball heading into tournament season. This year’s team, not so much. The Cougars are set to enter March Madness with a much different and younger team and not as lofty expectations. But with the culture and the young talent the Cougs have developed this season, anything is possible as college basketball shifts to the always thrilling win-or-go-home tournament season. The No. 21-ranked Cougars begin March Madness on Friday, March 13 in the quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament where they are No. 2 seed after finishing as co-champs in conference during the regular season. Then on Sunday, March 15, UH (23-8, 13-5 AAC) is expected to punch its third-straight NCAA Tournament ticket. “We are not going to make a big deal out of either tournament. Everybody else
will do that,” said Sampson, who is in his sixth season leading UH. “Our job is just to keep our kids grounded, believe in our culture, believe in each other and like [junior forward Fabian White] said, keep playing for each other.” Instead of being led by four experienced players like they were a year ago, these Coogs are paced by a cast of youngsters that shows flashes but still for the most part is unproven. Freshman Caleb Mills and sophomore Quentin Grimes are the team’s top two scorers but they come off the bench while freshman Marcus Sasser and Nate Hinton can also fill it up as starters. This year’s Cougars don’t shoot the ball particularly well, but what they do well is offensively rebound (No. 1 in the nation), score, defend and they play with heart – all of which could serve them well as they look to make a run. “We have a team that because of the way we shoot it, if we catch a little hot streak we could win three games next week,” said Sampson, whose squad advanced to the Sweet 16 last season. “But if we are not shooting well, we could get knocked off, too. I don’t run from that. It doesn’t bother me. I live in reality. “But if I had to make a bet, I’d bet on this group though because these kids are tough.” Follow Terrance Harris on Twitter @terranceharris
OTHER TEAMS THAT COULD BE IN TOURNAMENTS Prairie View A&M looks to make the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. But the Panthers will need to win the SWAC Tournament to do so. Texas Southern could also get hot in the SWAC Tournament to make its way into the NCAA Tournament. The Baylor Bears could be in line for a No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament after a strong regular season.
March 12, 2020 |
| 11
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports JA ROBERTSON Missing piece to Hightower title
By Jodie B. Jiles
Hightower’s 6-feet-8 senior center Ja Robertson came to the school’s basketball program as a transfer student from Lutheran High School in Kansas City, Mo. Today, Robertson has completely dedicated himself to his craft and become a centerpiece in an already loaded roster. On the defensive side of the court, opponents rarely test Robertson, who either blocks or alters the shots of those who attempt to drive the lane for a hoop. On offense, Robertson makes himself effective in the pick-and-roll and is a cutting slasher to the basket. After accumulating a 35-5 record this year and posting a stellar playoff showing, the Hurricanes are primed to be Houston’s representative from Class 5A at the state tournament in San Antonio. A big reason for this year’s success is new addition Robertson. Hightower head coach Stephen Woods explained Robertson’s impact on the roster.
“I think he does a great job of walling up on defense and finishing around the basket,” Woods said. “His length is what really helps us because last year that was one thing we were lacking — a big man. And he is getting better as the season is going on which is exactly what we need.” Here is the one-on-one with Robertson: Style of play “I play my role and just let the game come to me.” Defensive presence “Coach always tells me to keep my hands up so I stay out of foul trouble and be aware of everything that comes in the paint. So, I just try to be aware.” Offensive playmaking “I am staying strong, focused and play big.” Hightower transfer “I honestly didn’t know anything about Hightower. I was just zoned there...” Winning state “We have to be focused. We all know our goal is to play strong and play like every game is our last. We are going to be all right.”
Jaylon Calvin sets winning tone at Bellaire By Jodie B. Jiles
Bellaire High School junior guard Jaylon Calvin is a fearless leader. “...I’m not scared of anybody,” Calvin said. “If you have to stand in between the lines with me, that is what we are going to have to do; we have to battle it out,” Calvin posted quite the performance in the Class 6A Regional Tournament where he helped the Cardinals knock off favored Summer Creek in the semifinal game, and pushed No. 2-ranked Dickinson to the edge in a 70-61 loss in the regional final. Going into the game against Dickinson, Calvin maintained the right attitude for the battle to come, and was ready for a “dog fight.” The scrap in Bellaire’s team is a reflection of Calvin, their leader. On the court, Calvin’s crossover and quick first step grant him access to some highlight reel action off the dribble. What stands out the most is his leadership, which proved effective throughout the Dickinson game. Calvin was the first to let a teammate know if he made a mistake and the first to congratulate a teammate for excelling. With Calvin and two other returning starters, Elijah Lawrence and Jacolb Cole, running it back next year, watch for the Cardinals to be back at it again with another year of experience under their belts. Bellaire head coach Bruce Glover said “leadership” is what makes Calvin so special to the team. “Jaylon plays hard, is a hard worker and a great
ABOUT CALVIN Twitter: JayCalvin08 NBA players he studies: Damian Lillard, Dwayne Wade
ABOUT ROBERTSON Twitter: @Jarobertson13 Commitment status: Uncommitted NBA player he studies: Anthony Davis Favorite subject: English Shout-outs: Mom, coaching staff and Hightower
STATE TOURNAMENT GAMES TO WATCH Argyle HS vs Stafford HS March 13 1:30 p.m.
Favorite artists: Lil Baby, J. Cole, Roddy Rich and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Shout-outs: “My mom. I know you are watching over me.”
student,” Glover added. Here is the one-on one with Calvin. Style of play “I am a pass-first point who gets buckets and does what he has to do to win.” Leadership “I lead this team in practice and whenever I can to get us to state. That was our goal at the beginning of the year and we were just one game away from it.” Summer Creek win “We won because of defense. It is always defense first every time and every game.”
Yates vs. Oak Cliff Faith Family Friday, March 13 3 p.m.
Dickinson vs. Duncanville Friday, March 13 7 p.m. All state games will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio
12 | March 12, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Faces
1
3
7 CIS 41st ANNUAL STAY IN SCHOOL GALA: Communities in Schools celebrated 41 years serving Houston-area schools with a 1980s-themed Stay in School Gala. Attendees honored Dick Rogers and the John S. Dunn Foundation for their generous support of CIS, enjoyed music by ‘80s tribute band The Spazmatics, placed bids in a silent auction, and more. This school year CIS has served more than 125,000 students on nearly 170 campuses at several Houston-area ISDs and Lone Star Colleges. Attendees included Marlon Hall, Brittany and Tolu Opeloye, Najah Callander, Larry Sorto, Darius Johnson, Eddie Luster and countless others. Photos: 1) Idalia Castro, Chelsea Linares, Shardé Jackson 2) Norma Lemon-Turner, Janice Reid, Jeanie Robins, Eric Robins 3) Adam Ali, Montrell Daniel, Robert Shaw, Roderick Batteaux RECEPTION FOR NEW UNITY CEO: Unity National Bank supporters gathered at the Houston Museum of African American Culture to celebrate the historic appointment of Laurie Vignaud as Unity Bank’s new CEO and president, and first Black woman to hold the position. Vignaud brings with her more than 30 years in leadership roles in banking and community development institutions. Attendees included Renee Logans, Julie Fitzpatrick,
4
2
5
6
8 AVM Hawkins, Dina Lawal, Dr. Lauree Thomas, Ann Watkins and many more. Photos: 4) Pastor Mia Wright, Camille Scott, Laurie Vignaud, Seba Suber 5) Robin Rose David, Laquita Cyprian, Dr. Reagan Flowers 6) Loan-Anh Kao, Eileen Lawal PUBLIC EDUCATION MATTERS BENEFIT LUNCHEON: The HISD Foundation held its Public Education Matters Benefit Luncheon recently at the Post Oak Hotel highlighting the importance of community investment in public education. The program included the State of the Schools Address by HISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan, followed by a panel discussion with Lathan and former New Jersey State Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf, moderated by Dr. Stephen Klineberg. The luncheon raised funds for the HISD Foundation. Attendees included Kasey Bailey, Dr. Jack Christie, A.J. Cradill, Ann Scott, Chanelle Omiwade, Baron Wallace, Sylvia Teauge and several hundreds more. Photos: 7) Dr. Grenita Lathan, Dr. Stephen Klineberg 8) Lereca Monik, Laolu Davies 9) Wanda Adams, Kathy Blueford-Daniels, Dustin Berry, Reggie Bush. By Aswad Walker
9
MORE ONLINE For more photos of Faces @ Houston events visit http://defendernetwork.com. For event coverage email: events@defendernetwork.com
NOW ON INSTAGRAM #defendernetwork.com