Houston Defender: March 15, 2012 by Defender Media Group |DefenderNetwork

ENTERTAINMENT

facebook.com/DefenderNetwork

BROADCASTER LEN ELMORE LOOKS AT BASKETBALL, LIFE P6

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

NATIONAL

WEEK OF MARCH 15, 2012 | FREE

www.defendernetwork.com

twitter.com/DefenderNetwork

Volume 81 | Number 20

Women’s History Month

targets HIV among Black women

Blacks who paved the way

WHAT’S UP OPINION

Barbara Jordan

 PAGE 8

YOLANDA ADAMS judges ‘Sunday Best’

Dr. Mae Jemison

n orriso Toni M

P6 OPINION

GEORGE CURRY vanishing middle class Lauren Anderson

Halle Berry

P13 CHAG’S PLACE

Sheila Jackson Lee

Toyelle Wilson

Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is one of the lawmakers commending the Justice Department for blocking Texas from implementing a controversial voter ID law passed during the last legislative session. Jackson Lee said such laws continue to be passed nationwide, and are an attack on voting rights.

Prairie View A&M University women’s basketball coach Toyelle Wilson led the Lady Panthers team to their second consecutive SWAC tournament championship and secured a ticket to March Madness. Now in her second season as the team’s leader, Wilson is showing why she is one of the top young coaches in the game.

applauds ruling

Star Jones and Pastor Mia Wright at Metamorphosis Conference

P16

 PAGE

coaches PV champs

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

 PAGE 14

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012

ontheweb

defendernetwork.com

Stay Connected! Experience the Defender on the world wide web.

Shopping for free? How can extreme couponing put free groceries in your pantry? Find out at www.defendernetwork.com.

It’s Women’s History Month. Find out some facts about Black women you might not know on www.facebook.com/defendernetwork.

Like us on Facebook

Blacks and President Barack Obama. Why some Blacks are disenchanted with the president. We’re talking about it at www.facebook. com/defendernetwork

Book TALK Tired of the angry Black woman stereotype?

Well, so is author Sophia Nelson and she’s trying to change that image with her book,

Black Woman Redefined.

President Barack Obama

Angela Davis

See more on: defendernetwork For more than 135 years, CenterPoint Energy has served communities throughout the Houston area by building relationships between our employees and our customers. As a public utility, we touch the lives of our customers each and every day by delivering safe, reliable electricity and natural gas. But, that’s not all we do. Through our education and community outreach efforts, we work to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.

EVERY DAY BECAUSE YOU ARE AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING WE DO

Strengthening our neighborhoods Community involvement is at the core of our corporate culture and is exemplified by our employees and retirees who are committed volunteers in our service areas. Volunteering has long been central to CenterPoint Energy’s culture. We work to enhance the quality of life in our communities by reaching out as a caring neighbor to support education, community development and health and human services. Each year our employees, family members and retirees provide tens of thousands of hours in our schools – making them better places to learn, and in our neighborhoods – making them safer places to live. Investing in education In addition to volunteer activities, we promote specific company-sponsored activities, including natural gas and electric safety education programs designed to keep students safe and to inspire them to learn. Education opens doors and provides young people options, and our employees are eager to share their personal experiences with students. Encouraging employees to make a difference CenterPoint Energy is a company of people who care about our businesses, our customers and our communities, and we understand that we can’t be successful if our communities are not healthy and strong. Our goal is to make a difference every day by helping to make our communities better places to live, to work and to conduct business. For more information, log on to CenterPointEnergy.com/community. 2011 Volunteer Participation 2011 total volunteer hours: Volunteer participation rate:

235,847 41.26%

Total value of volunteer hours:* $5,037,692 * Based on the Independent Sector’s $21.36 estimate of the value of a volunteer hour. For 2010, the national average for volunteering in America was 26.5 percent.

defendernetwork.com

WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012 | DEFENDER

Black lawmakers

newstalk

applaud voter ID ruling

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

ouston-area Black lawmakers are commending the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for blocking Texas from implementing a new law requiring voters to present photo identification before casting ballots. Exercising powers granted by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the DOJ informed state election officials that the law is “legally unenforceable.” “I thank the Justice Department for standing up for voting rights,” said State Sen. Rodney Ellis. “Throughout the preclearance process, Texas consistently failed to produce information showing the law would not have a discriminatory impact on minority voters. “The Voting Rights Act exists for this exact purState Rep. Garnet Coleman pose: protecting the ability of all Americans to access the ballot box,” Ellis said. According to Republican lawmakers, the voter ID law was passed to deter voter fraud, a point challenged by Ellis. “There are more UFO and Bigfoot sightings than documented cases of voter impersonation,” said Ellis. “After years of testimony and debate, supporters of Texas’ voter ID law still cannot prove their case that voter impersonation is even a minor problem in Texas. “We, unfortunately, have plenty of evidence that it will disenfranchise students, elderly, African American and Hispanic voters,” Ellis said. “The Department of

Justice saw that evidence and made the right decision.” The state law approved in May 2011 required voters to show government-issued identification, which could include a driver’s license, military identification card, birth certificate with a photo, a current U.S. passport or a concealed handgun permit. Nationally, 31 states with Republican governors or majorities in their legislatures passed similar laws that produced a national backlash from Blacks, Latinos, college students and others who view the laws as a

Justice found that the Texas Voter ID law violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act is for everyone.” Writing on behalf of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Thomas Perez, head of the Civil Rights Division, informed the Texas Secretary of State’s office that “a Hispanic registered voter is at least 46.5 percent, and potentially 120 percent, more likely than a non-Hispanic registered voter to lack the required identification. “In addition, although Hispanic voters represent only 21.8 percent of the registered voters in the state, Hispanic voters represent fully 29.0 percent of the registered voters without such identification,” Perez said. State Rep. Sylvester Turner also applauded the DOJ’s decision, but said that the fight for voting rights is ongoing. “While the battle is far from over, I commend the Department of Justice on Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee State Rep. Sylvester Turner State Sen. Rodney Ellis their decision not to grant national attempt to suppress voters who traditionally preclearance to Texas’ Voter ID law,” Turner said. “We vote Democratic. must continually fight against any measure that takes away a right so vital and fundamental to our democAttack underway “An attack on the right to vote is underway across racy, that many of our forefathers sacrificed their lives the country through laws designed to make it more dif- for.” State Rep. Garnet Coleman noted the battle that ficult to cast a ballot,” said Houston Congresswoman took place during the last legislative session. Sheila Jackson Lee. “My Democratic colleagues and I fought the pas“While couched in terms of voter fraud, these sage of this bill during session because it would create laws will actually have their greatest impact by unnecessary barriers to the ballot box,” said Coleman. limiting participation of African Americans, Lati“After its passage, I wrote a letter to the DOJ nos, Asians and the young. Today the Department of Continued on Page 11

localbriefs A SUSPECT IN A RAPE NEAR A METRO BUS STOP was arrested at his girlfriend’s home in Abilene. Roberto Ramirez, 21, is charged with aggravated assault. Detectives received a tip that led to his arrest. The rape occurred on Feb. 22 after a 31-year-old woman was followed off the bus near the 5600 block of Old Spanish Trail, hit in the head with a bottle, forced into a nearby field and sexually assaulted. Evidence from the victim’s rape kit linked the attack to Ramirez, whose criminal history includes charges of drug possession and robbery…….., TEXAS’ UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED to 7.3 percent in January, down from 7.4 percent in December. It was the lowest unemployment

rate in the state since April 2009. “We’re seeing substantial economic growth here in Texas,” said Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken. The Texas unemployment rate is one full percentage point below the national unemployment rate of 8.3 percent……..A JOB FAIR FOR FT. BEND COUNTY residents will be held Wednesday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Houston Community College, Sienna Plantation Campus, 5855 Sienna Springs Way in Missouri City. It is sponsored by State Rep. Ron Reynolds…….. U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE RON KIRK planned a March 16 visit to Houston to talk about how American exports support American jobs. His schedule included

a tour of the Port of Houston and an appearance at a Great Houston Partnership luncheon. Kirk is a native of Austin and former mayor of Dallas…….. PRESIDENT OBAMA’S HOUSTON TRIP was a financial success. Running an hour late because of rain, Obama arrived at Union Station at Minute Maid Park to a crowd of more than 500 people. Tickets ranged from $500 per person for general admittance to $15,000 for two people at a photo reception. That event raised an estimated $2 million. Afterward, about 70 people dined with Obama at the home of his Harvard classmate, Tony Chase. The cost of the dinner was $35,800 per person and $15,000 for one additional guest.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012

defendernetwork.com

national

New HIV campaign targets Black women

Defender News Services

o combat the high toll of HIV and AIDS among Black women in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently launched “Take Charge. Take the Test.,” a new campaign to increase HIV testing and awareness among AfricanAmerican women. The campaign – which features advertising, a website and community outreach – is being launched in conjunction with National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in 10 cities where Black women are especially hard hit by the disease, including Houston. “At current rates, nearly one in 30 AfricanAmerican women will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetimes,” said Kevin Fenton, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention. “To help reduce this toll we are working to remind Black women that they have the power to learn their HIV status, protect themselves from this disease, and take charge of their health.” The program is also being launched in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Memphis, Newark, New Orleans, St. Louis and Hyattsville, Md. “Take Charge. Take the Test.” is part of CDC’s commitment to address the urgent HIV prevention needs of African-American women, who are far more heavily affected by HIV and AIDS than women of any other race or ethnicity in the United States. African-American women

account for nearly 60 percent of all new HIV infections among women (and 13 percent of new infections overall). The rate of new infections among Black women is 15 times higher than among white women. The campaign emphasizes the importance of HIV testing as a gateway to peace of mind and better health.

Reaching out

Campaign messages will reach Black women through a variety of highly-visible channels, including outdoor and transit advertising; radio

health departments, and local organizations in the 10 participating cities, which worked together to develop local campaigns for the communities they serve. The campaign was initially piloted in Cleveland and Philadelphia, where community events were attended by nearly 10,000 women, and campaign messages were seen more than 100 million times. “We hope to extend the reach of this campaign to multiple cities throughout the nation, help empower many more women to take control of their health, and help break the silence about HIV in their communities,” said Jonathan Mermin, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP).

A greater risk

ads; posters and handouts distributed in salons, stores, community organizations, and other venues; campaign ads and materials on health department and partner websites; and a dedicated campaign website, http://hivtest.org/takecharge, where women can find HIV testing locations in their communities. In addition to promoting HIV testing, the campaign encourages African-American women to talk openly with their partners about HIV and insist on safe sex, and to bring these same messages to other women in social settings, workplaces, living rooms, and religious congregations. The campaign reflects a partnership between CDC,

Research shows that Black women are no more likely than women of other races to engage in risky behaviors. But a range of social and environmental factors put them at greater risk for HIV infection. These include higher prevalence of HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections in some Black communities, which increase the likelihood of infection with each sexual encounter. Limited access to health care can prevent women from getting HIV tested. Research also shows that financial dependence on male partners may limit some women’s ability to negotiate safe sex. HIV stigma, far too prevalent in all communities, may also discourage Black women from seeking HIV testing. “This campaign is just one part of the solution,” said Continued on Page 11

U.S.briefs ROLAND MARTIN IS BACK AT CNN after the network lifted his month-long suspension for controversial tweets made during the Super Bowl. The network’s staff was notified about his return via a conference call. Martin’s tweets about an underwear ad and a football player wearing a pink suit were blasted by the gay rights group GLAAD and other members of the LGBT community. Martin denied claims of bias and apologized for his “regrettable and offensive” tweets. He met with a GLAAD representative during his suspension, and the group released a statement saying the meeting was the start of an “open and honest” dialogue……..PRESIDENT OBAMA’S RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION continues to be questioned. Even though he is a Christian, a recent survey by Public Policy Polling found that a majority of likely GOP primary voters in the Deep South do not see Obama that way. A poll of 600 Alabama voters, for example, revealed that 45 percent thought he was a Muslim, 41 percent were unsure and only 14 percent considered him a Christian. In Mississippi, 52 percent classified Obama as a Muslim, 36 percent were unsure and 12 percent identified him as a Christian…….. WASHINGTON, D.C. HAS THE HIGHEST PROSTATE CANCER incidence and death rate in the country, according to data from North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data is bad news for D.C.’s large Black population, since African-American men are at a higher risk for prostate cancer. The high rate of the disease is attributed to distrust of the medical system and negative attitudes toward testing. This year alone, 540 men in D.C. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 60 will die from the disease. Rates of prostate cancer are 60 percent higher among men with African ancestry, and the death rate is two-and-a-half times that of white men.

VOLUME 81 • NUMBER • 20 WEEK OF MARCH 15, 2012

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Associate Editors Reshonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Columnist Yvette Chargois Sport Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender 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).

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012 | DEFENDER

WE’RE WORKING TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS

FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN TEXAS Our Small Business Bankers are out in the community, meeting face-to-face with clients in Texas. They know the special needs of small businesses, and all the ways Bank of America can help them. Additionally, as part of our ongoing commitment to small businesses, Bank of America extended $6.4 billion in new credit to small businesses across the country in 2011 — a 20% increase over 2010. Combining our local support and expertise with our national resources, Bank of America is working to grow this crucial part of America’s economy.

Hired

Small Business Bankers in Texas in 2011.

Extended

$6.4

Increased

Billion

In new credit to small businesses nationwide in 2011.

20%

Small business lending nationwide from 2010.

To learn more about the ways that Bank of America can help your small business, visit bankofamerica.com/smallbusinessbanker

CSRAD-02-12-1020_A2_Houston_Defender.indd 1

2/26/12 3:22 PM

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012

entertainment

defendernetwork.com

Broadcaster Len Elmore looks at basketball, life By KAM WILLIAMS Defender ong associated with March Madness, Len Elmore is currently appearing on CBS for his 12th season as an analyst during the network’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship coverage. In addition, he has served as a basketball analyst for ESPN for the past 13 consecutive years, calling ACC and Big East games, including the Big East Tournament. Elmore is an eight-year NBA veteran, having played with the Indiana Pacers, Kansas City Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks. He spent two seasons with the ABA’s Indiana Pacers in 1975-76 before the franchise joined the NBA. He is a 1974 graduate of the University of Maryland where he was a three-time AllACC player as well as an All-American his senior year. In 2002, the 50th Anniversary of the ACC, he was chosen as one of the ACC’s Top 50 Players of all time. Elmore also earned a juris doctor from Harvard Law School in 1987 and began his law career as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn. Born in the Big Apple in 1952, Len still resides there and was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Here, he talks about March Madness and about his extraordinary careers on the court, behind the microphone, and as an attorney. KW: With everyone filling out their March Madness brackets in office pools right now, let me start by asking who you think has what it takes to win the NCAA Tournament this year? Elmore: There’s not just one team. Obviously, there are the favorites like Syracuse and certainly Kentucky, a good young team. We could also look at a team like Duke which has enjoyed resurgence…Then, there are those teams that people haven’t really spoken about much, like Kansas, which has played very well, as has Missouri. And there are others with plenty of potential, such as Michigan State which worked its way into a number one seed…Ohio State sort of has to overcome some of their issues, but they’re very capable of going all the way in a six-game series. And North Carolina is definitely built to go the distance in the tournament. So, those are the teams I think we should be looking at, but in the end, I really believe that Syracuse and Kentucky are the two teams

that have shown very few weaknesses. KW: I think March Madness makes for the most exciting and compelling spectacular in all of sports. Why is that? Elmore: The beauty of the NCAA College Basketball Tournament is in its structure, a one-and- done situation, which Continued on page 5

Len Elmore

What’sup AUDITIONS FOR BET’S ‘SUNDAY BEST’ kick off March 24 at 6 a.m. at The Potter’s House in Dallas. Auditions will follow in Washington, D.C., Atlanta and St. Louis. Grammy winners YOLANDA ADAMS and CECE WINANS will join DONNIE MCCLURKIN as judges on the gospel competition show. KIRK FRANKLIN will return as the show’s host. Adams, a native Houstonian, was a judge on the show before. She and Winans will replace MARY MARY sisters Tina and Erica Campbell, who are starring in a reality show based on their lives. ……..ANGELA BASSETT could join the list of movie stars turning to television. She is in final negotiations to star in an untitled teen spy drama on Fox. The series revolves around the orphaned

14-year-old daughter of a CIA operative. Bassett would play the director of the CIA. Bassett most recently starred in the Broadway hit “The Mountaintop” opposite SAMUEL L. JACKSON…….. LIONEL RICHIE and the late ETTA JAMES will be inducted into the Apollo Theater’s hall of fame. The ceremony takes place at the historic Harlem theater on June 4. Richie performed with his former group the Commodores at the Apollo in the 1970s. James, who died in January, performed at the Apollo in the 1950s and 1960s……..BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN told OPRAH WINFREY that she hopes to keep her mother’s legacy alive by pursuing an entertainment career. “I’m her daughter. I’m going to carry on her legacy,” she said in an exclusive interview

on the OWN Network. She also said it’s still difficult to listen to her mother’s music and enter the home they once shared…….. FLAVOR FLAV is taking another stab at the food industry. The fried chicken restaurant he opened in Iowa last year closed after four months because of management issues. On March 15, he’s opening Flavor Flav’s House of Flavor in Las Vegas. The menu includes fried chicken, fried shrimp and his signature red velvet waffles. He said he will be there when he’s not on the road with Public Enemy. “You’ll find me in the kitchen cooking,” he said. “You’ll find me frying chicken. You’ll find me serving food to customers. And I’ll be taking pictures and autographs at the same time.”

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012 | DEFENDER

Elmore... Continued from page 6 includes so many teams not considered serious contenders who nevertheless have the potential to overcome their shortcomings and rise to the occasion. You also have the fallibility of a heavy favorite who might make a few fatal mistakes in a game and find itself facing elimination. Those are the components of the drama that make March Madness. KW: What does Jeremy Lin mean to the NBA? Elmore: He’s a terrific story for the league at a time it’s trying to recover its fan base and viewership in the wake of the lockout. He’s generating a lot of excitement and bringing new people in who might not have been following the NBA. But whether this level of excitement will last, remains to be seen. KW: You played at a time when the game was bigger than the sum of its players, even with the superstars of your time. Does the sport still feel the same? Elmore: In all honesty, I’m not nearly as much of a fan of the NBA as I was maybe 10 or 15 years ago, or certainly as I was when I was a player. It’s become more entertainment focused, and less focused on the purity of the game. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s just not my cup of tea. One of the reasons why I enjoy college basketball a little more is because of its team orientation as opposed to individual orientation. I’ve always been taught that basketball is a team game and greater than the sum of its parts. KW: You managed successfully to have other careers after your NBA days. How did college prepare you for your post-graduate career? What message do you have for today’s youth about financial security? Elmore: Getting a well-rounded education and developing a love of learning that hopefully will continue to last my lifetime certainly helped prepare me to understand what’s coming at me in this world and to adapt…I’m concerned that young people today, far too often, abdicate their responsibilities of learning and adapting and give that over to people who may not always have their best interests at heart. And without a well-rounded education, they get into trouble if they don’t have the skills or the resources to overcome the issues that present themselves. KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Elmore: I see a person who has achieved many goals that he set for himself, and who didn’t allow a few setbacks to interfere with his love of life. And I see a person who is a good husband and a good father, and who will hopefully leave a legacy for my sons to be the same.

25%-5O% OFF STOREWIDE PLUS TAKE AN

EXTRA 2O% OFF WHEN YOU USE YOUR MACY’S CARD*.

†

†EXCLUSIONS APPLY; SEE BELOW.

FREE ONLINE SHIPPING EVERY DAY + EXTRA 1O%-2O% OFF! Free shipping with $99 purchase. Use promo code: HOT for extra savings; offer valid 3/14-3/18/2012. Exclusions apply; see macys.com for details.

HOT LIST!

S LE DON’T MISS OUR SPECIAL PURCHASES... THE SEASON’S NEWEST LOOKS AT PRICES SO HOT, THEY WON’T LAST LONG! MACY’S CARD/PASS DISCOUNT DOESN’T APPLY TO SPECIAL PURCHASES.

WOW! PASS

EXTRA SAVINGS ON ALL SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL! (EXCEPT SPECIAL PURCHASES, SPECIALS & SUPER BUYS)

EXTRA 15% OFF SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL FOR HIM & HER, PLUS FINE & FASHION JEWELRY & SELECT HOME ITEMS

EXTRA 1O% OFF

ALL SALE & CLEARANCE WATCHES, SHOES, COATS, SUITS, DRESSES, INTIMATES; SUIT SEPARATES & SPORTCOATS FOR HIM & ELECTRICS & ELECTRONICS Excludes: Everyday Values (EDV), special purchases, specials, super buys, apparel for boys, girls & infants, cosmetics/fragrances, men’s store electronics, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., macys.com, services. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer except opening a new Macy’s account. EXTRA SAVINGS % APPLIED TO REDUCED PRICES.

ELECTRICS/ELECTRONICS & WATCHES STOREWIDE ITEMS Valid 3/14-3/18/2012

OR TEXT “CPN” TO MACYS (62297)

HOT LIST SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 3/14-3/25/2012, EXCEPT AS NOTED. ➤*Purchase must be made on a Macy’s credit card or by a Macy’s credit cardholder paying with a Macy’s Gift Card, Rewards Certificate, EZ Exchange Card or merchandise certificate. Cardholders must present Macy’s credit card at time of purchase. ➤†Use your Macy’s Card & take an extra 20% off select sale & clearance apparel for him & her; or, take an extra 15% all sale & clearance fine & fashion jewelry, shoes, coats, suits, dresses, intimates; suit separates & sportcoats for him and select home items; or, take an extra 10% all sale & clearance watches and electronics & electrics. EXCLUDES: Everyday Values (EDV), special purchases, specials, super buys, apparel for boys, girls & infants, cosmetics/fragrances, men’s store electronics, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., macys.com, services. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer except opening a new Macy’s account. EXTRA SAVINGS % APPLIED TO REDUCED PRICES. EXTRA SAVINGS VALID THROUGH 3/18/2012. N2020153S.indd 1

3/6/12 11:00 AM

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

Houston’s firsts n Lauren Anderson

became the first African American to be promoted to principal dancer at Houston Ballet in 1990. She danced with the ballet from 1983 to 2006. In 2007, she became an outreach associate in Houston Ballet’s education department.

n Marguerite Ross

Barnett became the first Black president of the University of Houston in 1990, and held the position for a year and a half. During her brief tenure, she added 10 new minority faculty members and led a rigorous program to raise private funds. In 1991, Barnett took a medical leave of absence to seek treatment for cancer. She died in 1992.

n Dr. Joye Carter became

the first woman appointed chief medical examiner in Texas when she served as chief medical examiner of Harris County from 1996 to 2002. She later formed the first Blackowned forensic consulting firm in the U.S. and relocated to Indianapolis to become chief forensic pathologist to the coroner.

n Beverley Clark

was the first Black woman elected to the Houston City Council in 1989. (Sheila Jackson Lee was elected to Council a month later after winning a run-off). Clark served two terms on Council. She later ran for several other offices. In 1996, she lost her second bid for the 25th District congressional seat.

n Dr. Judith Craven

was first Black woman to graduate from Baylor College of Medicine in 1974. In 1980, she became the first woman named director of Health Care Services for the City of Houston Health Department. In 1992, she was the first African American named president of the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast. In 2001, she was the first Black woman appointed to the University of Texas Board of Regents.

cover

Women’s His

Blacks wh the w

n Shirley DeLibero was the first Black woman named president and CEO of Houston METRO in 1999. DeLibero led the development and operation of the light rail system during her tenure, which lasted until 2004. She is president of a transportation consulting firm.

March is Women’s History M tribute to Afric who paved the way in Houston, t Women’s History Month had its origins the first week of Marc In 1987, after being petitioned by Congress designated the entire Black women have played import and their accomplishments are wo

n Paula Harris became the first Black female president of the Houston Independent School District board of trustees in 2011. Harris was first elected to the board in 2007. She has a degree in petroleum engineering and is director of community affairs for a major company. n Joann Horton

served as the first female president of Texas Southern University from 1993-95. She was later appointed to such positions as president of KennedyKing College in Chicago and acting executive vice president of Baltimore City Community College. n Dr. Mae Jemison

became the first Black woman to travel in space when she went into

orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. She resigned from NASA in 1993 and founded the Jemison Group, Inc., a technology and consulting firm. She is chair of the Texas State Product Development and Small Business Incubator Board and a Greater Houston Partnership board member.

n Dr. Edith Irby J African American School of Medicin woman intern at 1959 and the first National Medical

n Barbara Jordan

to th serve first from first B addre tion. S woma

n Nath

earn an A&M Un Black wo professio A. Kenne engineer Barbara Jordan

Marguerite Ross Barnet t

Lois Moore s Paula Harri

defendernetwork.com • Serving th

rpage

20 in American history

istory Month

ho paved way

Month, and the Defender is paying can-American women the state of Texas and the United States. s in 1982 when the U.S. government proclaimed ch “Women’s History Week.” y the National Women’s History Project, month as “Women’s History Month.” tant roles throughout America’s history, orthy of celebrating 365 days of the year.

Jones first made history as the first n to attend the University of Arkansas ne in 1948. She became the first Black Houston’s Baylor College of Medicine t woman to serve as president of the Association in 1985.

n was the first Black woman elected he Texas State Senate, where she ved from 1966-1972. She became the Black woman elected to Congress m the South in 1974. In 1976, she was the Black woman to deliver the keynote ess at the Democratic National ConvenShe died in 1996 and was the first Black an interred in the Texas State Cemetery.

helyne Kennedy was the first woman to n engineering degree from Prairie View niversity (1959) and probably the first woman in Texas to become a registered onal engineer. She founded Nathelyne edy & Associates, a civil/structural ring firm in Houston.

isholm Shirley Ch

ald Ella Fitzger

n Lois Jean Moore

became the first Black woman president and CEO of the Harris County Hospital District in 1999. She was in son Althea Gib charge of the sixth largest inpatient health care system in the U.S. for 10 years. In 2000, she was named chief administrator of the University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center. n May Walker

became the first female patrol officer with the Houston Police Department in 1975 and served on the force for 24 years. In 2004, she was elected the first female constable in Harris County. n Hattie Mae White became

the first Black since Reconstruction elected to a significant public office in Houston when she was elected to the school board in 1958. During her nine years on the board, she championed desegregation and racial equality. HISD named its administration building in honor of White, who died in 1993. Sources: Defender Files & News Services Handbook of Texas, Texas State Historical Association “Black Women in Texas History” by Bruce A. Glasrud and Merline Pitre

he Houston area for over 80 years

1 Marian Anderson – first Black to sing with New York’s Metropolitan Opera (1955) 2 Halle Berry – first Black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress (2001) 3 Mary McLeod Bethune – first Black woman to receive a major appointment from the U.S. government (1936) 4 Gwendolyn Brooks – first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in poetry (1950) 5 Ursula Burns – first Black woman to head a Fortune 500 company (Xerox, 2009) 6 Alice Coachman – first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal (1948) 7 Fanny Jackson Coppin – first African-American female principal (1869) 8 Shirley Chisholm – first Black woman in Congress (1968) and first Black woman nominated for president (1972) 9 Althea Gibson – first Black athlete to win a major tennis title (1956) and first Black woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour (1964) 10 Sarah Goode – first Black woman to hold a patent, which was for a cabinet bed (1885) 11 Ella Fitzgerald – first Black woman to win a Grammy Award (1958) 12 Lorraine Hansberry – first Black woman to write a play on Broadway (1959) 13 Hazel Johnson – first Black female general (1979) 14 Toni Morrison – first Black woman to win a Nobel Prize for Literature (1993) 15 Mary Jane Patterson – first Black woman to graduate from an American college (1862) 16 Charlotte Ray – first Black female lawyer (1872) 17 Condoleezza Rice – first Black female secretary of state (2005) 18 Madame CJ Walker – first Black female millionaire (circa 1919) 19 Maggie Lena Walker – first Black woman to head a bank (1903) 20 Phillis Wheatley – first known African-American woman to publish a book (1773) Sources: Defender Files & News Services “Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America” by Lerone Bennett Jr.

d Mary McLeo

Bethune

ansberry Lorraine H

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012

defendernetwork.com

health

A Defender and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Alliance

One colonoscopy could save your life By SHEELA CHANDRA, M.D.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, which is especially important for African-Americans. Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer – cancer of the colon or rectum – is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. AfricanAmericans have the highest incidence of colorectal cancer of any racial or ethnic group and lower survival rates. Most cases of colorectal cancer will not show any symptoms, which is why it’s often referred to as a ‘silent disease.’ And by the time symptoms appear – change in stool, weight loss, pain, bleeding – the cancer may be at an advanced stage. To help avoid advanced colon cancer, you should undergo screening prior to the development of symptoms. In general, it is recommended that colon cancer screening begin at age 50. Your physician may recommend screening

cancer is more than 90 percent when detected in the earliest stages. Colonoscopy is considered the “gold standard” for colorectal cancer screening. During the procedure, an endoscope (a thin, very flexible, lighted fiber-optic tube) is inserted into the patient to directly view the Dr. Sheela Chandra is a boardA Preventable, lining of the colon. It certiﬁed Gastroenterology specialist who cares for patients Treatable Disease helps find ulcers, colon at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – The The good news is polyps, tumors and Woodlands and at Spring Medical that colorectal cancer areas of inflammation or and Diagnostic Center. also is one of the most bleeding in the colon or preventable cancers rectum and may be used through screening and early detection. to remove abnormal growths. Polyps Nearly two-thirds of colorectal cancer are usually benign, but may have the deaths are preventable with simple potential to become cancerous. The screening and prevention methods. removal of polyps has been shown The 5-year survival rate for colorectal to help prevent the development of at an earlier age or more frequently if there is family history of colon cancer or the presence of other risk factors such as age, obesity, diabetes, ulcerative colitis or other inflammatory intestinal conditions, a sedentary lifestyle or a history of excessive alcohol consumption.

colon cancer. This is why screening is so important. Ways to Reduce Risk By making changes in your everyday life, you may be able to reduce your own risk of colon cancer. This includes: • Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and less red and processed meat. • Drinking alcohol in moderation, if at all. • Not smoking. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit that may work for you. • Exercising for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. • Maintaining a healthy weight. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer among AfricanAmericans with more than 16,000 cases estimated to be diagnosed each year. Consult your physician about the different types of screenings, how often they should be scheduled and which is best for you.

WHERE YOU NEED US WHEN YOU NEED US For every stage of a woman’s life.

Comprehensive care AND a focus on women Whether you’re about to start a family or the next stage of your life, the OB/GYN physicians at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Woman’s Center offer convenient and comprehensive medical care to women of all ages. n n

Well-woman exams and gynecological care Obstetrical services for prenatal, pregnancy and post-pregnancy care, including high-risk pregnancies Vaccinations and screenings

Treatment of heavy or abnormal menstrual cycles, pelvic pain, ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids Onsite lab, mammography and ultrasound

wom en ’ s heal th at

Woman’s Center

7900 Fannin, Suite 2100 (On the campus of The Woman’s Hospital of Texas)

24-Hour Appointment Scheduling: 713-442-0000 | kelsey-seybold.com

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS and 50 HEALTH PLANS

defendernetwork.com | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012 | DEFENDER

Lawmakers...Continued from page 3 requesting that they reject the law. Today’s ruling protects the voting rights of many – communities of color, the elderly, and homeless.”

Voter ID supporters

Texas’ voter ID law was the product of Sen. Troy Fraser’s (R-Horseshoe Bay) Senate Bill 14 and was one of Gov. Rick Perry’s “emergency items” during the 82nd Legislature. State Attorney General Greg Abbott, who supported the voter ID law, said he expected the DOJ’s ruling. “We saw them reject a similar proposal in South

Carolina and we couldn’t see them rejecting South Carolina and approving Texas,” said Abbott, who pledged to continue fighting for the lawsuit he filed last month to have the bill implemented immediately. Gov. Rick Perry, who also supported the voter ID law, characterized the DOJ’s ruling as another example of the Obama administration’s “continuing and pervasive” federal overreach. “The DOJ has no valid reason for rejecting this important law, which requires nothing more extensive than the type of photo identification necessary to receive a library card or board an airplane,” said Perry.

Jackson Lee begs to differ. “We cannot let the rhetoric of an election year destroy a fundamental right upon which we have established liberty and freedom,” she said. “A long, bitter, and bloody struggle was fought for the Voting Rights Act of 1965 so that all Americans could enjoy the right to vote, regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin… “An election with integrity is one that is open to every eligible voter. Restrictive voter ID requirements degrade the integrity of our elections by systematically excluding large numbers of eligible

HIV

...Continued from page 4 Donna Hubbard McCree, Ph.D., associate director for health equity at DHAP. “All of us have a role to play in stopping the spread of HIV among Black women – by talking to our sisters, daughters, husbands, and boyfriends about how to protect ourselves against HIV and the importance of getting tested; by speaking out against stigma; and by tackling the social inequities that place so many of us at risk for HIV.” “Take Charge. Take the Test.” is the latest campaign of CDC’s Act Against AIDS initiative, a five-year, $45 million national communication campaign to combat complacency about the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States. The campaign also directly addresses the goals of the National HIV/ AIDS Strategy, which calls for reducing new infections, intensifying HIV prevention efforts in communities in which HIV is most heavily concentrated, and reducing HIV-related deaths in communities at high risk for HIV infection. Other Act Against AIDS campaigns include those targeting high-risk populations such as gay and bisexual men, as well as efforts to reach health care providers and the general public.

Sale Thursday, March 15 thru Saturday, March 17

599

sale

Organic Root Olive Oil Girls Relaxer Kit Warning: Follow directions carefully to avoid skin and scalp irritation, hair breakage and eye injury.

499

sale

Optimum Care Salon Collection Replenishing Shampoo, 13.5 oz.

2 off

sale

Creme of Nature Hair Stylers 4.8 to 11.25 oz.

Creme of Nature Argan Oil Relaxer Kit Warning: Follow directions carefully to avoid skin and scalp irritation, hair breakage and eye injury.

1 off

sale

Doo Gro Hair Styling 4 or 4.5 oz.

sale

Gentle Treatment Relaxer Kit Regular Warning: Follow directions carefully to avoid skin and scalp irritation, hair breakage and eye injury.

1off

sale

Iman Luxury Liquid Makeup and Cover Cream with Minerals

Sale merchandise may not be available at all stores and is not available at RxPress Pharmacies and Pharmacy only locations. Sale prices may also be limited to your local newspaper distribution. Rain checks are not available at stores that do not carry the advertised item. Sale prices offered for the dates listed on the front page unless otherwise specified in the ad or on the coupon. Right reserved to limit all quantities on all items. Coupons must be presented at time of purchase. Regular prices quoted may vary by store. Items may not be exactly as pictured. Availability at Walgreens.com may differ. *Items advertised with Register Rewards or rebates are subject to conditions and limits established by the mfr. See coupon or rebate form for details. Call 1-800-WALGREENS (1-800-925-4733) toll-free or visit www.walgreens.com/findastore for the location nearest you. While supplies last. ©WALGREEN CO., 2012, all rights reserved.

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

Black women Democrats wield influence Education focusing on IOP’s programs including political discussion and debates, community service and innovative public policy research. Her previous involvement in the Democratic Party was a windfall to the institute.

By YUSSUF SIMMONDS Special to the NNPA from the Los Angeles Sentinel

Black History occurs throughout the entire year. The role of Black women down through the ages have always been as the vanguard of civilization and the sheer power and influence of their presence on society clearly illustrate the values, customs and norms of society. A sampling of such a group of Black women whose presence demonstrates power and influence in America are Donna Brazile, Tina Flournoy, Minyon Moore, Yolanda Caraway and Leah Daughtry.

Donna Brazile

As the first AfricanAmerican woman to run a “successful” presidential campaign, Donna Brazile became the unsung hero of the 2000 Democratic presidential campaign. The historical importance of Brazile as the campaign manager of the presidential campaign was that although her candidate received a majority of the popular vote, he was denied the presidency. Notwithstanding, despite her hard work and tremendous sacrifice that made her candidate capture the majority vote, five of the nine justices in the U.S. Supreme Court – and the Electoral College – saw it differently. So she moved on. Even though she is mostly associated with the 2000 presidential campaign, Brazile has worked on many presidential campaigns including Carter/Mondale in 1976 and 1980; Jesse Jackson in the 1984 primary; Mondale/Ferraro in 1984; Richard Gephardt in the 1988 primary; and Dukakis/ Bentsen in 1988. Her political activism coupled with her commitment to social equality made her one of the most outspoken and forceful political activists on the scene today.

Minyon Moore

Donna Brazile

As the assistant to the president for Public Policy at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) union, which represents over 1.4 million members (mostly teachers), Tina Flournoy directs the work of the AFT’s legislative, political, field and mobilization and human rights and community outreach departments. She is also a member of the AFT’s internal operating committee. With over 25 years of experience in management, government relations, legal and legislative matters in both the private and public sectors, Flournoy has held legal and political positions with the Democratic Party’s National Committee transition team, among others. Flournoy had previously worked in Rev. Jesse Jackson’s 1984 campaign for president and she credited that campaign for developing leaders within the African-American community. In addition, she led a study group at the Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard University in 2009. It was a part of the Politics of Public

Minyon Moore joined Dewey Square Group as a principal in 2002 and heads its successful state and local affairs practice. She is considered one of the nation’s top strategic thinkers. Clients from Fortune 100 companies to non-profit start-ups have turned to Moore for her skills in developing effective strategies to address emerging consumer markets. She specializes in building coalitions and brand awareness strategies for corporations while at the same time effectively addressing their state and local public policy issues. Moore has unparalleled knowledge and understanding of the political and public policy arena, a result of her extensive background in this realm. As CEO of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Moore was directly responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of the party’s activities. Moore is a native of Chicago, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago where she majored in sociology. She recently earned a degree in digital filmmaking at Boston

University’s Campus in Washington, D.C. and plans to produce and direct films.

Yolanda Caraway

Yolanda H. Caraway is the founder, president and CEO of one of the few woman- and minorityowned communications and public affairs consulting firms in Washington, DC, the Caraway Group (TCG). It was founded 25 years ago by Caraway, a nationally recognized political and public relations strategist. Some of her more well-known named clients have been private U.S. corporations such as Microsoft, MGM Mirage, Bristol Myers Squibb, MCI, Mitsubishi and Texaco; governmental such as and nonprofit agencies such as the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and U.S. Dept. of Commerce; and non-profits such as Center for American Progress, NATO 50th Anniversary Summit, and Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Foundation Project. Caraway and TCG also coordinate major undertakings for the Democratic Party, which showcased her years of organizational ability and management expertise. In the aftermath of 9/11, TCG represented the U.S. Army’s recruiting efforts with the flood of Americans wanting to enlist in the wake

of the tragedy. And her firm has also served as counsel for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, BET Networks, Kaiser Permanente, and others.

Rev. Leah D. Daughtry

The Reverend Leah D. Daughtry is a nationally recognized teacher, preacher, speaker, organizer, leader, and Democratic strategist. Throughout her career, she has sought to bring sound, principled leadership, business, and management practices to organizations that seek to enhance and improve the lives of the people with and for whom she worked. As president and CEO of On These Things, LLC (OTT), Daughtry provides strategic and event planning, issue advocacy, and

organizational management consulting services to a broad array of businesses and organizations. Rev. Daughtry served as CEO of the 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee, responsible for all aspects of planning and execution of the Democratic Party’s quadrennial presidential nominating convention. In 2009, Rev. Daughtry served as Resident Fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, where she focused on the role that faith and values have come to play in American politics. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Rev. Daughtry held various senior posts at the United States Department of Labor, the United States Congress, and the Democratic Party. She is the pastor of The House of the Lord Church in Washington, D.C.

classified MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Request for Proposal for the following: Nutrition & Hot Food Services Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston, Texas 77074, telephone number (713) 970-7300, and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, March 19, 2012. The Request for Proposal (RFP) must be submitted to Purchasing Department, Suite 100, 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by Monday, March, 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in a sealed envelope marked "RFP- DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 04, 2012 – “NUTRITION & HOT FOOD SERVICES”. Any questions pertaining to this RFP should be addressed in writing to Joycie Sheba, Buyer II / Sharon Brauner, Buyer III via fax (713) 9707682 or email questions to joycie.sheba@mhmraharris.org, cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all offers it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Request for Proposal for the following:

Hardware Load Balancers Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston, Texas 77074, telephone number (713) 970-7300, and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, March 19, 2012. The Request for Proposal (RFP) must be submitted to Purchasing Department, Suite 100, 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by Monday, March, 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in a sealed envelope marked "RFP- DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – THURSDAY, APRIL 05, 2012, 10 AM – “HARDWARE LOAD BALANCERS”. Any questions pertaining to this RFP should be addressed in writing to Joycie Sheba, Buyer II / Sharon Brauner, Buyer III via fax (713) 970-7 or email questions to joycie.sheba@mhmraharris.org, cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all offers it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

Hartina “Tina” Flournoy SOW_HoustonDefenderPaths.indd 1

9/12/11 8:37 PM

defendernetwork.com

WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012 | DEFENDER

opinion

pointofview

The Black Press still relevant

n March 16, 1827 in New York City, Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm wrote a new chapter in American history. They established Freedom’s Journal, the first African-American owned and operated newspaper published in the U.S. Their mission still echoes today: “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.” This year, Black Press Week is March 14-18. It’s a time when the nation’s Black newspapers – including the Defender – honor the memory and vision of Cornish and Russwurm. Today, the Black Press is more relevant than ever. Though times have certainly changed since Freedom Journal’s founding, African Americans are still fighting for their rights. Slavery and Jim Crow laws no longer exist, but inequality is alive and well. Today it has a new name, such as voter ID law or redistricting. For the first time in history we have a Black president, but the disrespect he receives is unprecedented. Black Americans own thriving businesses and expensive homes, and run multi-million dollar companies. Yet the Black middle class is shrinking, and far too many of us are a paycheck away from poverty. We continue to grapple with other problems such as unemployment, educational inequality and poor health. That’s why we still need the Black Press to help fight our battles, publicize our causes and shed light on the positive things occurring in our communities. The Defender is proud to be a member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, which is comprised of more than 200 Black newspapers with a combined readership of 15 million. We strive to keep Cornish and Russwurm’s dream alive while demonstrating our relevance each day online at www.defenderfnetwork.com, on Facebook/Twitter and in each weekly issue.

The vanishing Black

middle class

By GEORGE E. CURRY NNPA Columnist

– between 2008 and 2010, white median household income fell by 2.9% while the black median household income fell by 7.7%.” A similar decline can be seen in home ownership. “Since the recovery, black home ownership has been falling at just under twice the rate of white home ownership – from 2009 to 2011, black home ownership declined by 1.4 percentage points while white home ownership declined by 0.9 percentage points. This means that almost all the gains in black home ownership have been lost and now we are at a point

chapter in the National Urban League’s 2012 State of Black America report reached a sobering conclusion about the Black middle class. “Our analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will clearly establish that whether one looks at education, income or any other meaningful measure, almost all the economic gains that blacks have made in the last 30 years have been lost in the Great Recession that started in December 2007 and in the anemic recovery that has followed since June, 2009. “This means that the size of the black middle class is shrinking, the fruits that come from being in the black middle class are dwindling, and the ladders of opportunity for reaching the black middle class are disappearing.” That’s pretty strong language from the four authors: Chanelle P. Hardy, Valerie R. Wilson, Madura Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner Wijewardena and Garrick T. Davis. But they provide strong figures to where there are real reversals in black home buttress their case. ownership.” The Black median household income Education, the ladder to upward moin 2010 was $32,106. That’s 30 percent less bility, is also going in the wrong direction. than the comparable figure for whites. In to“An especially troubling trend can be day’s dollars, that’s where the white median observed by looking at the fortunes of those household income stood in 1980. with a 4-year college degree,” the report Even with the tremendous income observed. “The most significant impact of gap, the Black median household income this trend has been on black college graduincreased by 32 percent between 1992 ates who saw their unemployment rates and 2000. White income increased by 14 skyrocket to an average of 7.1% in 2011. percent over that same time period. “This led to an unprecedented widenThe latest economic downturn has ing of the gap between black and white coleroded many of those gains. lege graduates –in 1972, the gap between “The Great Recession and the recovthe unemployment rates of blacks and ery have led to a dramatic widening of the white college graduates was 1.4 percentage gap between white and black middle class points and in 2011 it had increased to 3.2 income households,” the report stated. percentage points.” “Although both blacks and whites suffered Middle class can be defined generally declining median household income duras having income that places one in the ing and since the recession, the decline middle of overall income distribution. And for blacks has been considerably higher because White household income is more

than 1.5 times Black income, a White family must earn more than African-Americans in order to be considered middle class. Even though Blacks still trail whites in income, there was no significant Black middle class before the modern Civil Rights Movement. “…The civil rights movement of the last 50 years forced open the door of full-fledged American prosperity to all those who had been barred from its many comforts in decades past, either through economic, legislative, a racial apartheid, or some institutionalized combination of all of the above,” the report said. After the Civil Rights Movement and affirmative action opened the doors of opportunity, they are now being slammed in our face. The National Urban League chapter on the Black middle class did not address the issue of Black net worth, which has also been pummeled. The Economic Policy Institute, analyzing data collected by the Federal Reserve, found that in 2004, the median net worth of White households was $134,280, compared with $13,450 for Black households. By 2009, the medium net worth for White households had declined by 24 percent to $97,860. Over that same period, the medium net worth for African-American households had fallen 83 percent to $2,170. Despite the Republican crusade for smaller government, the National Urban League report argues that the federal government must be an active partner if these blows to the Black middle class are to be reversed. “Programs such as targeted job training, Pell grants, small business lending, pre- and post-purchase housing counseling, and Medicare and Medicaid provide the foundation which makes middle class life possible,” the report stated. “These programs should not, and must not be sacrificed in the hyper-partisan debate designed to produce political winners and losers.”

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012

defendernetwork.com

sports PV Lady Panthers win

back-to-back SWAC tournaments

By MAX EDISON Defender

hen Hall of Fame basketball star Cynthia Cooper-Dyke departed Prairie View A&M University for greener coaching pastures, there were concerns that the Lady Panthers program Cooper-Dyke had built to prominence would fade back into the shadows. After all, who knew very much about her young successor, assistant coach Toyelle Wilson? In her second season as head coach Wilson is showing why she is one of the top young coaches in the game, directing a young Lady Panthers team to their second consecutive SWAC tournament championship and securing a ticket to March Madness and the big dance. “Coach Cooper gave me a great opportunity in the four years I was under her,” Coach Wilson said. “I came to Texas and Prairie View having never been here before, not even in the South for that matter. I learned a lot and grew a lot during that time. The president and AD gave me an opportunity to lead that program that I helped build and continue the success that we had started.” Wilson knew that repeating as champions could be challenging. “We only had one scholarship player return from last year’s team,” she said. “We came into the tournament on a three-game win streak. We knew the urgency we had to have to be successful. We had the hardest side of the bracket and our players simply stepped up to the challenge. We had an unbelievable run and I’m really proud of them.” Coach Wilson’s team finished conference play fourth in the standings (11-7 conference, 17-15 overall). She credits a tough pre-conference schedule to molding her team for success in big game situations. “I had a lot of freshmen and sophomores that didn’t know my system and what I expected. That obviously led to some growing pains,” she said. “We grew from a tough preconference schedule. We were beating Michigan the whole

game, we were beating St. John’s at halftime and beating Marquette at halftime so we knew we could play,” Wilson said. “We were losing to Southern and Alcorn in the second half of our last two conference games and came back to win so I think our team peaked at just the right time.” With her team coming together precisely on cue, Wilson still had to navigate her players through a difficult tournament bracket that featured opponents with different styles of play. The bracket included the conference’s top regular season squad, Mississippi Valley (14-4 conference, 1813 overall). Prairie View Lady Panthers head coach Toyelle Wilson (center) and tourney MVP Latia Williams (right) celebrate after winning the conference crown.

“We first played a tough Alabama State team (62-35) that had a strong inside presence,” she recounted. “The second game was against overall number one seed Mississippi Valley [58-55], which had a good overall team with excellent, aggressive guard play. “They were number one in the conference in steals,” Wilson said. “We played Alcorn in the championship game and they are a guardoriented team as well. We had to adjust to different styles of

play from our opponents, but the girls came out with a focused mind and focused heart and stuck to our game plan and executed really well under pressure.” No team goes on a great run without a player stepping up big in pressure situations. For the Lady Panthers that player was Latia Williams, a 5-foot-10 junior forward. Williams averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds in three games. In the finals against Alcorn she scored 20 of PV’s last 35 points. She was named the tournament MVP. “Latia is a veteran,” Wilson said. “She’s been here four years and she’s the oldest player on the team. She’s been through the pressure situations, the tournaments and the girls really look up to her. She put the team on her shoulders in the conference tournament. She simply took over games and that’s what a leader does.” In addition to Williams’ efforts, the coach received outstanding play from other contributors. “Larissa Scott [6-feet, freshman forward] and Jeanette Jackson [5-feet-7, freshman guard] showed up big for us. Larissa was All-Tournament as well. “Kiara Etienne [5-feet-10, junior forward), a former JUCO All-American and SWAC Newcomer of the Year, played very well down the stretch. Everybody just played their role and we clicked at the right time.” The Lady Panthers will be headed up the east coast for the first round of the NCAA tournament to face top seed and 4th-ranked Connecticut (29-4) in the Kingston Regional.

Latia Williams was dominant for the victorious Lady Panthers.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012 DEFENDER

defendernetwork.com

h.s.zone

sportsbriefs

Yates, Travis boys

fall in state basketball finals By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender AUSTIN – The latest chapter in the storied rivalry between Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in boys’ high school basketball went to “Big D.” Jack Yates, the No. 1-ranked Class 4A school in Texas, Yates accepts runner-up trophy at 2012 state tournament. led for nearly the entire game, but missed opportunities from the free-throw line in the final seconds and an errant three-point shot at the buzzer enabled Dallas Kimball to escape with a 78-75 victory in the 4A championship game at the Frank Erwin Center. The Knights (34-5) erased a fivepoint deficit in the final two minutes and Torrey Henry’s open three-pointer with 12 seconds left in regulation Travis players are disappointed by loss. proved to be the game-winner. Lilly scored a game-high 27 points The defending 4A state champiand his three-pointer with 29 seconds ons avenged a 94-78 loss to Yates in left brought the Knights within 75-73. the 2009 state title game. Kimball has Lilly was named the game’s Most won back-to-back titles after defeating Valuable Player. La Marque in the 2011 finals. Yates (33-6) missed the front end “We played as hard as we could of two 1-and-1 free-throw opportuniand it just came down to missing some ties in the final 20 seconds to open shots at the end of the game and they the door for Kimball. Keith Frazier were able to make theirs,” said Yates scored 17 points for the Knights and head coach Greg Wise. “We have Henry added 12, none bigger than his nothing to be disappointed about.” second made three-pointer in as many After trailing 9-4 in the game’s attempts. opening quarter, Yates tied the game “He was standing less than three at 11-11 to begin the second stanza. feet away from me when he received An 8-0 run led by Darrion Martin the pass,” said Kimball coach Royce and Daymean Dotson gave the Lions Johnson. “I told him to drive to the a 19-11 edge and Yates led 36-30 at basket and try to get fouled. But I’ve halftime. always told my players that they play Kimball was in catch-up mode the game and do what they have the for most of the rest of the game until confidence to do. His shot was a thing Shannon Lilly’s three-pointer tied the of beauty.” game at 48-48. Dotson’s three-point Yates and Kimball won’t meet at play with one minute, one second left the state tournament for the next two in the third period allowed Yates to years as the Lions will be competing take a 53-52 advantage into the final on the Class 3A level. Yates will return stanza. seven lettermen, including starters Several questionable calls that Darrion Martin and Melvin Swift. seemed to favor Yates in the final Dotson led Yates with 23 points eight minutes didn’t deter Kimball and Martin added 12. Second-leading from making a last run to victory. scorer Clyde Santee made all six of his

free-throw attempts, but missed all seven attempts from beyond the threepoint arc. In the Class 5A championship game, top-ranked Flower Mound Marcus faced No. two Fort Bend Travis. Some of the most highly-recruited players in the country were in action as Marcus featured Marcus Smart and Phil Forte, and Travis was led by the twin tandem of Aaron and Andrew Harrison. Both teams struggled from the field in the game’s early stages and a three-pointer by Andrew Harrison with three seconds left in the second quarter enabled Travis to take a 22-20 advantage into intermission. Andrew Harrison finished with a team-high

23 points. Travis (36-4) scored the first five points of the second half to lead 27-20, but smart converted two free throws to ignite the Marauders’ comeback. Smart finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Forte was named the game’s MVP after erupting for 24 points with four three-pointers. Yet his biggest contribution was converting all eight of his free-throw attempts, including seven in the final 99 seconds to seal the 56-52 victory. Marcus (39-2) repeated as 5A champions after defeating Garland Lakeview Centennial 40-38 last year. Nick Banyard contributed 10 points and13 rebounds for the Marauders. “It was a great game and they are a great team,” said Travis coach Craig Brownson. “I am really proud of our team, but this hurts right now. I just hope we can get back up here next year.” Brownson will return all three starting guards, including Aaron Harrison (10 points) and John Burnett (eight points) along with sophomore Chris Idi.

Nays to host Spring youth basketball tournament North American Youth Sports will host a spring youth basketball tournament at Katy High School on May 1213. The tournament will feature age categories ranging from fifth grade boys and girls to 12th grade boys and girls. The entry fee for the tournament is $145 and guarantees each team a minimum of three games. Awards will be presented in each age bracket. Entry deadline is April 20. For information call tournament director Samuel Roach at 832-418-3683 or go to the NAYS website at www.northamericanyouthsports.org.

Taylor to play volleyball at South Florida Erin Taylor, a senior at Clements High School, has committed to playing volleyball at the University of South Florida next fall. Taylor compiled a 3.69 grade-pointaverage while winning Most Outstanding Offensive Player and team Most Valuable Player honors for the Lady Rangers.

Colbert wins national leadership grant Darrell Colbert Jr. of Lamar High School has won a National Leadership Grant sponsored by NCSA Athletic Recruiting and the National Football League Players Association. The leadership grant is awarded to student athletes throughout the country in all sports from football to track and field. These athletes qualify for the grant based on leadership in their community, academic achievements, athletics and a written essay submitted by the athlete.

Etcetera The University Interscholastic League celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Worthing High School boys’ varsity basketball team winning the Prairie View Interscholastic League Conference 4A state championship.

TJ Ford retires after eight years in NBA San Antonio Spurs point guard and former Willowridge and University of Texas All-American T.J. Ford has announced his retirement after an eight-year NBA career. He has had neck and spine injuries in the past that have been surgically repaired. One of the greatest high school players to ever come out of the Houston area, Ford (5feet-11) was the Naismith and Wooden Player of the Year while at Texas. He led the Longhorns to the Final Four as a sophomore. He was the eighth player selected in the 2003 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. “I think I succeeded at beating the odds, of being the little guy, making it to the NBA and lasting as long as I did,” Ford said. “I think I achieved a lot. I know I didn’t have the career I anticipated and everyone anticipated, me having been the player of the year [at Texas]. But I think I still had a successful career.”

Milby High School gets help with revitalization BBVA Compass and NBA Cares recently joined forces to revitalize Charles H. Milby High School. The effort included landscaping, sanding and painting of benches in the outdoor patio area, painting of the weight room, dance room, music room, teacher’s lounge, and auditorium lobby, and book cataloguing. The school will also receive new computers for the library and teachers’ work room, books, new weight room equipment, furniture for a reading nook in the library, and furniture and appliances for the “Buffalo Bistro” café.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 15 | 2012

defendernetwork.com

chag’splace

For Event Coverage...visit

defendernetwork.com

Janet Ferguson, Kettisha Jones and Delesa Thomas

Marvin Alexander, Regina Carrington, Dr. Kimberly Agnew-Borders and Roger Law

Catherine Dorsey and Beverly Gill

Marianne Walker, Marylyn Harris, Kelly P. Hodges and Sonya Stevenson

Tom Joyner, Jr. and Karen Baker

Dr. Sophia Davis-Fields, Dr. Shawn Simmons and Uneeda Talley

Rev. Kia Granberry, Krystal Sykes and Alexis Jones

Cynthia Fountain and Vivian Singleton

A DIAMOND SALUTE…..The Ivy League Educational foundation chair Pamela McGee, event chair Christina & Charities Foundation founded by Alpha Kappa Alpha Moore, co-chairs, Linda Burkley and Lucinda CampbellSorority, Inc., XI Alpha Omega Chapter, presented its 4th Law and the entire committee for a great event. Continued annual Educators’ Ball at the Norris Conference Center. success!.....SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT….. Twelve distinguished leaders who The Metamorphosis Conference, Inc. sparkle in community service were hosted its 11th annual conference at Join Yvette Chargois honored, including Dr. Kimberly the Fountain of Praise Church. Their Agnew Borders, Marvin Alexander mission is to redefine, renew, rebuild, Events of the Week Jr., Regina Carrington, Dr. Sophia rejoice and restore, and it was announced More photos on defendernetwork.com Davis Fields, Marylyn Harris, that a global conference and mission is See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads Kelly P. Hodges, Roger Law, scheduled for July in Brazil and March with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. Robert Morgan, Jr., Dr. Shawn F. 2013 in South Africa. This year’s Simmons, Sonya Stevenson, Uneeda lineup of presenters/keynote speakers Talley and Marianne Walker. This elegant affair was included founder and executive director Pastor Mia attended by about 300 folks and featured Thomas Joyner Wright, Rev. Dr. Jazz Sculark of Shiloh Baptist Church in Jr., co-founder of REACH Media, Inc., a Dallas-based Philadelphia, Pastor Sheryl Brady of The Potter’s House multi-media firm that is the parent company for the “Tom of North Dallas and attorney and television personality Joyner Morning Show,” as the honorary chairman and Star Jones. Metamorphosis combines a unique blend keynote speaker. We salute chapter president Karen Baker, of inspiration, personal enrichment and outreach. Great

TV Personality Star Jones and Pastor Mia Wright

conference!.....KUDOS…..Carla J. Cargle, founder/ CEO of Genesis One Wealth Builders Financial Advisory Firm ,recently celebrated 20 years of exceptional quality service…..Opened just a little over a year ago by Genoria Boykins and Sharon Owens, La Maison in Midtown, an urban bed and breakfast, was named the March monthly award-Top 10 Urban B&B’s by Bed&Breakfast.com. Congratulations!.........…..MARK YOUR CALENDAR… ..”Behind The Pulpit,” a riveting new gospel musical stage play, celebrates the memory of the late playwright Annette Campbell and brings the triumphs and challenges of men and women of the cloth. It stars Bernadette Stanis, who is known as Thelma from the hit TV show “Good Times,” Stellar Award-winning singer Keith Johnson, Grammy nominated singer Calvin Richardson and also features singers/actors Tony Terry and Terrell Phillips. The play will be held March 29-April 1 at the Bayou Music Center, 520 Texas Ave. For more info call 713-230-1600…..From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years