Houston Defender: April 1, 2021

The COVID Effect

Teachers & Mental Health Committed to teaching our children, educators are facing multiple challenges in and out of the classroom.

NEWS

SPOTLIGHT

RON REYNOLDS

JULIAN B. KANE

The State Rep. is joining others in denouncing UT’s “The Eyes of Texas” fight song as racist.

Volume 90, issue 22 April 1, 2021

This filmmaker, artist and change agent ‘s global travels are helping him make a name for himself.

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DN On Point

FIT & FINE Micah Grigsby Age: 20 Occupation: Fitness Entrepreneur | Hardpoint Fitness Education: Ridge Point High School Motto: Remain Resilient.

“Do it for you, don’t do it for anyone else.”

Donald Williams III testifying at the Derek Chauvin trial -Kilat Fitzgerald

Message From the Associate Editor REPRESENT BROTHERMAN

Thus far, my favorite part of the Derek Chauvin trial (because, remember, George Floyd is NOT on trial) has been the testimony of MMA fighter and witness to the Floyd murder, Donald Williams III. This expert witness described the Chauvin knee in Floyd’s neck as a “blood choke.” More specifically, Williams said of Chauvin, “The officer on top was shimmying to actually get the final choke… the kill choke.” And they wonder why we march.

And kneel.

@kinghardpoint Read more on Friday about Lorem at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine email: fitnfine@defendernetwork.com

UH IN THE FINAL FOUR

Let’s hear it for the UH Cougars men’s basketball team making it to the Final Four for the first time since 1984! And sure, they may not come with the high-flying, death-defying, rim-rattling aerial antics of the legendary Phi Slama Jama, but they get the job done with crazy defense, an attacking offense and Muhammad Ali-esque heart. And while we’re celebrating the Coogs, let’s not forget those other Texas Aswad Walker schools who did us proud in the men’s and women’s NCAA tournament: the Elite 8 But the highlight of Williams’ testimony came when Chau- UT women’s squad, and the men’s teams of UT, Abilene vin’s attorney asked Williams, if he called Chauvin, while in Christian, Baylor and TSU. Shout out to Marcus Davis the act of kill-choking Floyd, a “f**king bum” and “pu**y-ass for providing those Tigers with a celebratory meal at the bi*ch,” and Williams replied, “I said what I said.” Say THAT breakfast klub to honor their journey. brotherman! Understand, I’m trying to find moments of joy out of this tragic trial, because history tells us there may be IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER zero joy for justice seekers when the verdict is rendered.

Will somebody stand for teachers? The pandemic has made their challenged mental health even worse.

SPEAKING OF JUDGMENT The Defender’s dynamic duo Sports Department, Terrance Every sanctified soul and “their” deaconess mama are Harris and Jodie B. Jiles, share incredible stories from the losing “they” minds over Lil Naz X’s latest video, “Mon- world of local high school, college and pro sports. tero.” Full disclosure, I find it disturbing on many levels.

Millennial filmmaker and world-traveler Julian Kane shares My solution? Not to watch it. However, the soul-stirringly insights into his journey, and the powerful impact TSU conself-righteous out there are taking a different approach, tinues to have on his life. calling for the singer to be crucified. However, what’s more disturbing to me than homeboy’s video dance with the ON THE WEB devil is the fact that folk shouting loudest over this “holy • Black lawmakers, NAACP and students bumrushed Austin, injustice” haven’t said a word about the satanic way police seeking to get UT to see the light about the racist legacy of kill unarmed Black people; the devilish 253 voter suppres“The Eyes of Texas.” sion bills set to become law in 43 states; or the hellacious • Over 15% of Houston’s homeless population cite the panmistreatment of Black women, children, families, farmers, demic as the reason for their plight. elders, etc. In the words of the late, great Max Edison, they • Sharon Osborne off ‘The Talk.’ In the words of Spike Lee, need to “go sit down.”

“Peace, two fingers G!”

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DN News Black lawmakers, NAACP and students push back on UT-Austin’s “The Eyes of Texas” report Texas Tribune

Members of Texas’ Legislative Black Caucus have joined the fight to rid the University of Texas at Austin of its alma mater song, “The Eyes of Texas” — with several members bringing their case directly to President Jay Hartzell on the issue, a state lawmaker said.

State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, was joined at the Texas Capitol by religious leaders, state and local NAACP chapter presidents, and UT-Austin students for a press conference to condemn the university for its decision to keep the song. The group took issue with a recent university commissioned report that found the song was likely performed in blackface when it premiered in 1903, but ultimately concluded that the song was not “overtly racist.”

“According to the committee report, they believe they can redefine what the song stands for by acknowledging its history,” said Anthony Collier, student body president at the University of Texas School of Law. “You can’t redefine racism. Acknowledging racism is fine, but it’s far from sufficient. It’s not enough to acknowledge racism. We must abolish racism.”

The song has become a dividing line between the UT-Austin community since last summer, when students and a group of athletes released a list of demands in the wake of the death of George Floyd. Among the demands was a call for UT-Austin to discontinue singing the song because it premiered at a university minstrel show where students likely wore blackface and performed skits that perpetuated racist stereotypes of Black people.

Members of Texas’ Legislative Black Caucus want the University of Texas at Austin to get rid of its alma mater song, “The Eyes of Texas.” Members met with university President Jay Hartzell on the issue, Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, said during a press conference at the Texas Capitol. Evan L’Roy/The Texas Tribune

Reynolds said the Black caucus is “unequivocal” about its opposition to the song and has urged Hartzell to continue to meet with students who have made other demands to improve racial equality on campus.

“We were very deliberate, and [Hartzell]

was very forthright and honest and said that, ‘Hey, you gave me some more things to think about,” Reynolds said. “We agreed that we will continue the dialogue.”

The university did not respond to a request for comment.

Earlier this month, UT-Austin released a report from a commission of professors, students, student-athletes and others that concluded there was “no racist intent” behind the song, even as the song was written in a racist setting.

Texas opens COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to every adult Houston Public Media

People across Houston lined up to get vaccinated as Texas became the largest state in the U.S. to open up COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to every adult.

All Texans 16 years and older now qualify for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, with people 18 and older qualifying for both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Previously, the vaccine was only available to people over 50, people under 50 with underlying health conditions, health care workers, first responders, school employees and child care workers.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has directed vaccine providers to prioritize people 80 years and older, allowing them to skip the line even without an appointment.

Harris County has administered more than 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses since vaccinations began late last year. The

claimed in about an hour.

At Booker T. Washington High School, in the historically Black neighborhood of Independence Heights, United Memorial Medical Center hosted a vaccination outreach site that did not require preregistration.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, applauded the efforts so People line up outside of Booker T. Washington far at large vaccination sites High School in Independence Heights to get like the one at NRG Park, vaccinated on March 29, 2021. Every Texas adult but said more still needed is now eligible for the vaccine. Lucio Vasquez / to be done to help everyone.

Houston Public Media “Let’s have the big sites,” she said. “But let’s work city has administers more than 850,000 together to get in the nooks doses. and crannies of our community. I want The city opened up 5,000 vaccination there to be a wave of vaccinations. I want appointments for this week, which were them to say, ‘what’s going on in Texas?’”

Both the city and county have stressed the importance of reaching underserved populations, and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Friday pushed private providers to reach out to those communities, calling it “a moral responsibility.”

Winford Houston was one of the people waiting to get vaccinated at the school.

Houston, who is from Independence Heights, said he waited in line for more than 45 minutes. He said getting vaccinated was important, and that he trusted the research on vaccine safety.

“I don’t know too many people who’ve died from having the vaccination, but I know people who have died from not having the vaccination,” Houston said. “So that’s why I took the precautions to come over here and get on this line.”

Asked whether he was excited to get the vaccine, Houston said: “Living is exciting, so yeah.”

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Working together to create

jobs for our community At Bank of America, we continue to invest in our local communities to help create jobs and fuel economic opportunity.

We’re doing this by collaborating with other companies, identifying needs and working with skill-building partners and local colleges like Texas Southern University.

This effort also includes our recent $25 million investment in 21 higher education institutions including community colleges, historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions, such as Prairie View A&M University.

Our shared focus is on education, reskilling and up-skilling to build a pipeline of talent — and on increased commitment to hiring by major employers across our local area.

Here in Houston, my teammates and I are excited to be a part of creating more opportunities for members of our community.

What would you like the power to do?®

Here’s how we’re helping to accelerate job creation in our community: Working with the Greater Houston Partnership to advance local goals Supporting organizations that are expanding access to skill building programs and resources, including: • SER Jobs • Capital IDEA • EMERGE Fellowship

Hong Ogle Houston Market President

To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

April 1, 2021 |

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DN News Georgia’s new GOP election law draws criticism, lawsuits Associated Press

Critics of Georgia’s new Republican-backed election law issued fresh calls to boycott some of the state’s largest businesses for not speaking out more forcefully against the law, a day after advocacy organizations filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging it.

In a letter to more than 90,000 parishioners, Bishop Reginald Jackson, who presides over more than 400 African Methodist Episcopal churches in Georgia, said the law is “racist and seeks to return us to the days of Jim Crow.”

Jackson is calling for corporate leaders at companies like Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines to speak out in opposition.

“If we cannot persuade them or if they refuse to oppose this legislation then we will organize and implement a boycott of their companies,” the letter says.

Coca-Cola said in a statement that the company has been engaged in “advocating for positive change in voting legislation.”

Delta Air Lines issued a statement touting some parts of the law, such as expanded weekend voting, but said “we understand concerns remain over other provisions in the legislation and there continues to be work ahead in this important effort.”

In a separate letter, the children of some of the nation’s most notable civil rights leaders said that far “too many of our lawmakers failed to take a stand and corporations did not go far enough to ensure every voting citizen had fair and equitable access to the most basic of American rights.”

A lawsuit filed by organizations including the Georgia NAACP, against Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and other members of the State Election Board, asks a judge to find that the law violates the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act and to block state officials from enforcing it.

The complaint argues that Republican “officials have resorted to attempting to suppress the vote of Black voters and other voters of color in order to maintain the tenuous hold that the Republican Party has in Georgia.”

The change to Georgia’s election law was made after Democrats won the presidential contest and two U.S.

Census data delay scrambles plans for state redistricting Defender News Service

Georgia State Rep. Park Cannon, D-Atlanta, center, walks beside Martin Luther King, III, as she returns to the State Capitol in Atlanta after being arrested last week for knocking on the governor’s office door as he signed voting legislation. -AP NEW ELECTION LAW • Adds a photo ID requirement for voting absentee by mail • Cuts the amount of time people have to request an absentee ballot • Limits where drop boxes can be placed and when they can be accessed • Bans people from handing out food or water to voters waiting in line • Allows the Republican-controlled State Election Board to remove and replace county election officials.

Senate runoffs in the once reliably red state.

The new election law was signed last week by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, just hours after it cleared the state legislature. It is part of a tide of GOP-sponsored election bills introduced in states across the country after former President Donald Trump made false claims about election fraud. Republicans in Georgia argue that the law is needed to restore voters’ confidence.

VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 22 - APRIL 1, 2021 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

-AP

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

Stymied by delayed census data needed for redistricting, some states are considering postponing their 2022 primaries or turning to other population estimates to start the once-a-decade task of redrawing voting districts used for U.S. House and state legislative elections.

The U.S. Census Bureau was supposed to provide redistricting data to the states by March 31, but after setbacks from the pandemic, it won’t be ready until mid-to-late August and might not be available in an easy-to-use format until Sept. 30. That’s later than the legal deadlines to complete redistricting in some states and could mean less time for court challenges, candidate filing and ballot creation.

The delay has sent states scrambling to adapt. Some face the decision to sidestep their constitutional deadlines or draw stopgap maps that might not fully reflect population shifts in the past decade.

“States that have done the exact same thing for decades in a row now have to look for alternatives,” said Wendy Underhill, director of elections and redistricting at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In many states, redistricting is done by lawmakers subject to a gubernatorial veto. A growing number will use independent or bipartisan commissions, but Republicans will have ultimate control over redistricting in more than twice as many states as Democrats. Political control allows officials to draw districts that make it easier for their candidates to win future elections — something Republicans did more effectively than Democrats after the 2010 census.

Although the census is typically used for redistricting, only about half the states have laws or constitutional provisions explicitly requiring them to use census data, according to the NCSL.

THE HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD (formerly known as MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY) will be accepting proposals for the following: 9401 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY INTEGRATED CARE CLINIC RENOVATION Specifications may be secured from THE HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Services located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7279, THE HARRIS CENTER website www.theharriscenter.org or the Electronic State Business Daily Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/ beginning Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Proposals must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 29, 2021 in a sealed envelope marked “PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021, 9401 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY INTEGRATED CARE CLINIC RENOVATION”. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner, Purchasing Manager and Nina Cook, Purchasing Director, via E-mail to sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org cc: nina.cook@theharriscenter.org or fax at (713) 970-7682.

Historically Underutilized Businesses, including Minority-Owned Businesses and Women-Owned Businesses are encouraged to participate. THE HARRIS CENTER reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL The COVID Effect

Teachers & Mental Health

By Aswad Walker

For years K-12 teachers have called for more attention to be paid to their mental heath in the face of daily, job-related stresses. Over this past coronavirus pandemic-dominated year, that call from Houston-area educators has reached a fever pitch, with seemingly no administrative support in sight.

UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES

The teaching profession tends to attract individuals less motivated by monetary gains or personal accolades than by witnessing the fruits of their labor.

“Seeing the ‘lightbulb’ turn on for a child is extremely rewarding, no matter if they are finally understanding a concept or deciding their education is important,” said longtime educator and school leader Tori Cofield.

Tara Jones, a fourth-grade teacher at Fifth Ward’s Atherton Elementary concurs.

“The most joy in teaching is the ability to make a difference in students’ lives,” she said. “Seeing that lightbulb moment when they get it is one of the most important things. That and watching their progression and the development.”

But with those great rewards come the great responsibility of bearing the stressors that come with the territory. According to Cofield, in “normal” (pre-COVID) times teachers identify the biggest stressors as producing daily lessons plans relevant to students’ lives and realities, managing their classrooms, analyzing data to be more effective in the classroom, creating and maintaining efficient classroom systems and routines and meeting administration expectations.

Then, there are the stresses that come with the savage inequalities typically faced by schools with predominantly Black and Latino populations.

“Schools that have a large population of students labeled ‘at risk’ yield a great deal of teachers that are stressed, primarily because they don’t have the resources or training to do ‘the work’ needed to make students successful. It is an endless cycle that almost always ends in teacher burnout,” stated Cofield, executive director of programming of Hope for Tori Cofield Families, the non-profit arm of Good Hope Missionary Baptst Church that provides an array of wrap-around services for youth and adults.

Jones likens teacher stress to that experienced by airplane pilots “Teachers have to make split-second decisions, much like an airplane pilot does, which impacts lives. And we don’t have air traffic controllers, nobody to talk to about it. Sometimes you have that support, but other times you don’t. And when you have 25-plus kids in your classroom and you’re making decisions all the time, all day long, whew,” shared Jones, who stated that dealing with men-

tally-challenged children adds another layer of stress upon teachers.

“I just feel like those students’ mental health issues are outpacing what we can do as a school, as a classroom teacher, as a district. I don’t think that is being addressed.”

DURING THE PANDEMIC

Regarding additional pandemic-induced stresses stacked on top of the normal issues, Cofield shared, “Getting sick is the primary stressor. Managing the expectations regarding technology has, by far, been the second most stressful issue facing teachers and colleagues.”

Jones attested to the technology stress.

“Learning a new platform, learning a new way to teach virtually was difficult. I’m one of the lucky ones. My daughter is well-versed in Microsoft Teams, the platform that HISD is using. So, she just took me under her wing this past summer and just, you know, got me through it.”

Jones and Cofield said they each experienced how the pandemic-induced stresses wore on their peers.

Cofield shared, “Every teacher I have consulted with has been stressed by the ‘world’ as we all have been.

But what folks don’t realize is after dealing with their own ‘stuff,’ getting sick, child care, finances, sick family members, etc., teachers are literally taking on the ‘stuff ’ of every household their students come from.”

Cofield contends an under-reported aspect of the coronavirus pandemic has been the rampant rise in child and domestic abuse, along with juvenile crime rates, all of which eventually bring more strains on the mental health of all involved in these students’ lives.

“Parents are too stressed to worry about whether their child is ‘logging in’ so they certainly aren’t concerned about whether or not they are paying attention,” she added.

As a result, teachers are asking not to be left on a island fending for themselves.

“The world is in chaos and teachers are expected to go on with the daily task of teaching as if nothing is wrong. I have yet to hear about a district that has taken the initiative to provide some type of service for teachers that are struggling with stress or anxiety.

“A great number of the families (students) know this

year most likely will not count against them but teachers are still expected to ‘push’ students as if it will.”

LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD Teachers are under a lot of pressure to make school “normal” and are still being evaluated on student performance. Teaching virtually is HARD and more work.

Kiarra C. Ambrose, teacher

ACTIONS TO MAINTAIN MENTAL HEALTH

For Cofield, pre-pandemic self-care meant taking full advantage of mental health days, moments she labeled her “sacred time” practicing yoga, journaling and meditation.

Jones’ pre-COVID mental health maintenance plan included participation in GirlTrek, a health movement for African-American women and girls grounded in civil rights history and principles through walking campaigns, community leadership, and health advocacy (www.girltrek.org).

“We make a commitment to walk at least 30 minutes every day. It costs nothing to be a member of the group, but that’s the commitment I made to myself,” said Jones, whose additional self-care hobby includes conducting ancestral research.

Both Jones and Cofield have continued their mental health self-care activities through the pandemic. Jones, however, added a few additional supports.

“I learned how to meditate. I love meditation now. And I burn sage. Only good vibes allowed in my house,” she said.

SUPPORTS NEEDED

Still, Jones and Cofield assert that though their self-care activities are helpful, teachers need way more administrative support than they are currently receiving.

Jones says tackling testing would be a great start.

“The support that the state of Texas could provide is to cancel the STAAR Test, the state mandated tests that we (fourth graders) are up against in a couple of weeks. It’s inappropriate with a global pandemic.”

Jones believes the state could help teachers’ well-being by stopping the promotion of the narrative that students are falling behind and thus “need to catch up.”

“Scientifically, you can’t catch up on sleep that you lost the day before. The same thing with trying to catch up on learning. You can’t catch up,” she said.

Jones, however, doesn’t believe students are lost causes because of pandemic-impacted learning.

“In the big picture, the kids will be fine if we just keep doing.” She believes the same about teachers’ mental health, especially if they receive state and administrative support.

Cofield is looking for those same supports, but she’s not holding her breath.

“Acknowledgement from the folks making decisions about educating children would be a great place to start.

If teacher mental health is addressed by them, change will happen. The chances of it being acknowledged are slim, as those of us who have dedicated our lives to the ‘at risk’ population are still waiting on the calvary.”

Scientifically, you can’t catch up on sleep that you lost the day before. The same thing with trying to catch up on learning. You can’t catch up.”

-Tara Jones

I believe teachers are stressed because of the many different ways they now have to teach: hybrid, in person and virtual. They are also stressed at the educational gaps the students are showing from being out the previous year. To put the cherry on top, you have some parents that are not entirely on board with helping. Everyone in education is at an all-time stress level.

Maria Carlos, school administrator

ON DEFENDERNETWORK.COM WATCH DR. JANICE BEAL DISCUSS WAYS TEACHERS CAN DEAL WITH STRESS.

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DN Obits

John Arthur “Junior” Norman, III remembered Defender News Service

A longtime staple in Houston’s Independence Heights has died at age 81. John Arthur “Junior” Norman, III, was born November 11, 1940 and attended St. John’s Baptist Church. His grandfather, Pastor Arthur McCullough, Salem Baptist Church, was the third Mayor in Independence Heights, and his church was the beginning of John’s spiritual foundation.

John attended Yates and graduated from Worthing High School in 1958. He joined the US Air Force from 1959-1963 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from TSU in 1970.

“John Norman was that guy that was always the same, always kind, courteous, good with giving advice and extremely talented with a beautiful singing voice. Even as we aged, we spent time catching up on each other’s lives and talking about our days at Jack Yates High School. He was my friend and will truly be missed. While he is no longer physically with us, his spirit is always around us. He was well loved and respected. So I say goodbye to my friend John.....rest in peace,” said his friend and former Jack Yates classmate Ethel Porter.

But it was John’s love for music that soothed his soul. He was the lead singer of the RPM/

John Norman III -Robert L.Franklin

RPN band and performed throughout the US. He graced the Tidelands Hotel Marquee for 13 weeks, which was unusual for a Black performer during that time. He wrote three Houston Oiler songs, “Hello Snake, Welcome to the Blue,” “Man in Black,” and “We Believe in You Blue.”

He had a role in the movie River Bend, starred in Get Ready at the Ensemble, and captivated audiences with his rendition of Sammy Davis, Jr., at the Houston Sammy Awards.

“John Norman, Mr. Excitement on Stage, he would take your breath away. When I first saw him on stage, I said to myself who in the world is this guy with so much talent. He gave an overwhelming performance every time,” added his friend, Wash Allen.

First woman to integrate Rice University remembered Defender News Service

Friends and family are remembering Jacqueline McCauley, the first African American female to integrated Rice University two years after desegregation. An academic star — McCauley was the first Black student in Texas to be named a National Merit Scholar — and some of the country’s most prestigious colleges were recruiting her. Rice was initially her third choice, after Harvard and MIT, but that changed when she read in the newspaper that a group of Rice alumni were trying to stop the university from integrating.

“Rice irritated me for doing that,” McCauley said last year in a recent phone interview from her home in Canberra, Australia. So she put Rice at the top of her list. “If I hadn’t gone to Rice, I would be aiding and abetting what I consider to be an immoral act. To walk away would be letting them get away with something that was no longer acceptable and had never been acceptable.”

When she walked through the Sallyport for the first time, McCauley said that being one of two Blacks on campus with 2,500 students did not faze her. (Charles Freeman was the other Black undergraduate, who also had been admitted in 1965.) Her father had been in the Army for many years and had been stationed at various military bases, where she had attended schools that were predominately white.

Her sister, Marganette McCauley Williams, said that McCauley was so focused on going to college that nothing would stop her from taking the entrance exam. “On the day she took the SAT, she had a temperature and her tonsils were swollen,” Williams said. “My mother worked for a doctor, and right after the SAT, Jackie’s tonsils were removed.”

Jacqueline McCauley

The summer before starting at Rice, McCauley had an internship at NASA, where she did research for the Apollo program. At Rice, her intention was to major in a science, but the social upheaval of the ’60s fascinated her so much that she switched to social sciences.

In the 1970s, McCauley became a program director with KLOL, at that time one of Houston’s most popular radio stations. She then moved to KSAN, a radio station in San Francisco, and then to Australia, where she had a radio show called “Shootin’ the Breeze,” which was syndicated in 80 American cities. McCauley had remained in Australia until her death.

Protect yourself and your loved ones.

Get vaccinated against COVID-19.

April 1, 2021 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

WE STAND BEHIND THE VACCINE Here’s why our experts support the COVID-19 vaccine:

TESTED

There has been thorough testing and rigorous external review. Previous research and new technology allowed the vaccine to be developed faster, yet still follow the standard FDA process for emergency review before approval.

TRUSTED

Most side effects are minimal, like other vaccines — including sore arms, muscle aches and fever. These flu-like symptoms indicate that the vaccine is doing its job — helping your body develop immunity to the virus. Other side effects are rare.

EFFECTIVE

Current evidence indicates the vaccine is safe and up to 95% effective. COVID-19 can be fatal or debilitating. The risks of experiencing serious symptoms or being hospitalized from the disease are far greater than the risks associated with getting the vaccine.

We encourage you to get the first vaccine available.

Visit houstonmethodist.org/texas-vaccine-hub to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine waitlist. #ProtectedTogether

10 | April 1, 2021 |

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DN Sports Prairie View senior outside hitter Tamaira Armstrong led the Panthers volleyball team with 13 kills and 11 digs during their SWAC Tournament quarterfinals win over Texas Southern.

Texas Southern freshman pitcher Lailah Bell recorded her first career win during the second game of the Tigers sweep of Alcorn State in softball action over the weekend.

Charli Collier ready for

WNBA JUMP

Positioned for the number one pick

By Terrance Harris

Charli Collier joined the University of Texas women’s basketball program as the nation’s top basketball recruit and amid some incredible expectations.

Four years later, the Barbers Hill product has lived up to those expectations and then some in leading the Longhorns to an incredible run during the NCAA Tournament and now being poised to be the likely No.1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft after declaring early. Along the way, Collier, a 6-foot-5 junior center, has crafted one of the best individual seasons in the history of the Longhorns program.

But it doesn’t mean Collier hasn’t felt the weight of the expectations placed on her before ever stepping foot on campus.

“A lot of prayer, a lot of patience… a whole lot of prayer because it can be pressure at times having that label on you,” said Collier, when describing to The Defender in a telephone conversation what got her through. “But you have to know when it’s your calling you’ve got to just fulfill that calling no matter what it is.”

It’s a stage Collier has been primed for since she was a kid playing basketball in the front driveway with her dad and younger brother, Corey. Both of her parents, Ponda and Elliott Collier, were great athletes and Elliott especially saw greatness in his daughter’s abilities and told her years ago that she would be the No.1 draft pick in the WNBA before he passed away April 4, 2016.

It will be a prophecy fulfilled when Collier is picked No.1 overall by the Dallas Wings in next month’s WNBA Draft.

“Both of my parents have pushed me,” said Collier, whose brother, Corey, is a freshman football player at USC. “Seeing them, especially my mom being a single mother, seeing her work and be the best that she could be for my brother and myself … So just her being a good role model and my dad just being there, making me and my brother’s games.

He has meant so much to

me and my success on and off the court.”

Collier says it wasn’t hard last month when she made the decision to forgo her senior season and put her name into the WNBA Draft. Her work was complete.

She averaged a double-double for the second year in a row – joining legendary Retha Swindell as the only players in UT history to average double-doubles in consecutive seasons – and is averaging 19.7 points and 11.6 rebounds this season. She was the only Power 5 player in the country to record 17 double-doubles during the regular season.

“It’s really amazing what she has been able to do,” said first-year UT coach Vic Schaefer. “It’s so hard to do at this level against the quality of competition and the quality of coaching that we go against every night.

“I’m really proud of her.”

Collier was named second-team AP-All American at the end of the season and a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award, which goes to the nation’s top center. She has also led the sixth-seeded Longhorns to an incredible run in the NCAA Tournament, which included an upset win over No.2 Maryland in the Sweet 16 round. Texas lost to No.1 South Carolina during Tuesday night’s Elite Eight round.

So the timing to move on to the WNBA felt right.

“I feel like it had a lot to do with my hard work and trusting my work and where my work has gotten me so far,” Collier said. “When you know your purpose in life, you know why you are here, you make decisions that need to be made. I feel like I’ve had the college experience, I’ve done what I supposed to do here at Texas and it’s just time for the next level for me.

“I really didn’t know the exact date or the day I was going to do it, I just knew over time you get a feeling and you go for it. You take advantage of opportunities that are presented to you.”

Texas forward Charli Collier (35) runs the court against TCU during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. -AP

Sports Briefs Surging Cougars The University of Houston Cougars, a No.2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, defeated Arkansas in the Regional finals to set up a showdown against No.1 seed Baylor Kelvin during SatSampson urday’s Final Four round.

This is the Cougars first Final Four appearance since 1984 and the second national semifinal game in coach Kelvin Sampson’s career.

Rockets trade Oladipo In a move that was long expected, the Rockets just barely beat the NBA trade deadline to ship veteran guard Victor Oladipo to Miami.

Oladipo was a key piece the Rockets Victor received in the Oladipo James Harden trade earlier this season. The Rockets received in exchange forward Kelly Olynyk and guard Avery Bradley and the right to swap first-round draft picks with Miami in 2022.

Astros set to open season Another year of great expectations kicks off for the Astros when they open the season April 1 on the road against the Oakland A’s.

It’s year No.2 for Astros manager Dusty Baker.

PV player enters transfer portal Prairie View junior swingman Jawaun Daniels has entered the NCAA transfer portal. The 6-foot-7 player averaged 15.2 points for Jawaun the Panthers Daniels this season.

April 1, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports PLAYER TO WATCH

HEIGHTS HS SENIOR

GIOVANNI GARCIA

By Jodie B. Jiles

ABOUT GIOVANNI GARCIA INSTAGRAM: @_jgarciaaaa BASEBALL PLAYERS HE STUDIES: Enrique Hernandez (Dodgers), Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres), Carlos Lee (Astros) FAVORITE ARTISTS: Brent Faiyez, Big Sean, Miguel and Drake WORLD PROBLEMS HE WOULD SOLVE: World hunger and poverty SHOUTOUTS: My momma, my whole team especially Elijah, my baby brother and all my coaches

Heights senior pitcher-short stop Giovanni Garcia, a University of St. Thomas commit, has a game to watch on the mound, field and batter’s box.

When Heights baseball coach David Petty was asked what makes Garcia unique, Petty stated, “Giovanni has been in our program for four years now and we have enjoyed him this entire time.”

“He has continuously gotten better this year. He has the physical tools and he works hard, makes good grades, is a responsible kid that has become a great leader as a senior, and I think if he continues to apply himself he will do well after high school.” Petty added.

The Defender spoke with Garcia before his game against Carnegie High School to discuss his playing style, love of the game, keys to success and more.

STYLE OF PLAY (PITCHING) “I really like to take my time. As a pitcher you are controlling the game. So, when I am pitching I like to see what is really working for me. I like to have a clear vision of what I would like to do before I pitch.”

STYLE OF PLAY (SHORTSTOP) “When I play shortstop I really just like to be smooth with everything and that is what my whole style is revolved around. It is also all about executing the easy plays, hard plays and everything that comes with playing shortstop.”

LOVE OF THE GAME “I love that the game of baseball is a game of failure.

You know, even though you fail three out of 10 times you are still considered really good on the stat sheet.

Baseball is also very competitive as you go up in age, and that just drives me to go further.”

KEYS TO SUCCESS “I always like to have a vision of how the game is going to go. That is what I do every day I wake up. I have a vision of the day and that is what I put into consideration when I push forward and execute everything I do.”

ST. THOMAS COMMITMENT “I love my family and I like being in my hometown. So, staying close to them and seeing them at my game to see me play is what I really wanted to happen, and UST was a really good fit because I can just drive down there in less than 20 minutes.”

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12 | April 1, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Spotlight Local filmmaker, global citizen

Julian B. Kane

By Aswad Walker

Transplanted Texan Julian B. Kane is truly a global citizen.

Though this filmmaker, artist and change agent resides in Houston, his soul, like his travels, is international.

You may recognize Julian as a photographer of one of Houston’s many organizational events (pre-COVID), or from his time as a member of TSU’s legendary Debate Team, then led by Julian’s mentor Dr. Thomas Freeman.

An invitation to participate in a debate competition halfway around the world helped direct Julian’s path once back in the U.S., to more global travel and to a plethora of filmmaking projects from Houston to South Africa.

And though challenged to figure out how to make a living producing art, his projects like the co-produced and directed “Unmasculinity” and it’s sold-old run at MATCH a few years ago, served as a reminder to the artist to stay in the game because of the many individuals positively impacted by his work.

The Defender caught up with Julian to get insight into the artist and his works.

DEFENDER: You’re originally from Oakland, California. So, what brought you to Houston?

JULIAN KANE: TSU at the time (2008) was an open enroll-

ment school. And honestly, I don’t want to say I barely graduated high school, but I kinda did barely graduate high school.

It wasn’t like I was a bad kid, bad student. I never thought I wasn’t smart. I guess just the way I was being taught… I didn’t subscribe to that pedagogy… So, I have two dads by the way; my biological father and then I have my brother’s father who has been like a very huge influence in my life. He took me to a Black college fair in Alameda, California, and I met [TSU’s] Brian Armstrong and I signed up. And I think like three weeks later, a month later, I got an acceptance letter. And I guess my mom and other people in my family had a little money saved up for me because I was actually planning on going to a community college. She and other family, encouraged me to go to Texas Southern.

DEFENDER: What experience led you to your current career path?

JULIAN: Dr. Thomas Freeman invited me on their interna-

tional trip to Tanzania and I was super excited… But a little bit after I started thinking, “I don’t know if I want to go to Africa” because everything you see in the media about Africa is, is super negative. My stepfather was like, if you go, you’ll hate it or love it, but you’ll never know if you don’t go. When I went to Dar Salaam, Tanzania, I definitely saw poverty, but it wasn’t like what the media was portraying. But I saw so much richness in the people; so much wealth. Wealth of knowledge. Wealth of knowledge of yourself. When I came back, I was completely like, “Why is this negative narrative in television? There’s gotta be so many more beautiful places and so many other beautiful people to meet, not just in this United States.” It instilled this travel bug in me… And in 2009, 2010, I was really trying to find a career path to change the narrative of how we think about these places; a career path that would allow me to move like freely as I wanted it to… I decided I wanted to be a documentary filmmaker, and I

ABOUT JULIAN B. KANE From: Oakland, CA

Education: BA in Telecommunications / Radio, TV & Film, Texas Southern University; Master of Fine Arts, Antioch University (Seattle); Study Abroad experience at the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) Awards: Silver Remi for Short Student Productions at World-Fest Houston International Film Festival (documentary of his South Africa experience) Current Jobs/Projects: Production Assistant for a reality TV show; Podcast, “The Julian Kane Audio Experience” TSU Debate Team Highlights: Performed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, participated in speech and oratory competitions throughout the U.S., and contributed to TSU’s second place finish in Berlin, Germany at the 20th Annual International Forensics Tournament Social Media: Website: julianbkane.com Instagram: julianbkane YouTube: Julian Kane

Facebook: Julian Kane Twitter: @julianbkane

truly think that specific instance of going to Tanzania, sparked my whole trajectory of today.

DEFENDER: Do you have a mantra that you live by?

JULIAN: I don’t tell myself this every day, but, I

just, I just wanted to be better than the day before, get better with my relationships with people, my relationship with self, and I just try to stay open.

DEFENDER: You’ve done many different projects, music videos, short films, photography.

What’s your favorite?

JULIAN: I think my favorite thing to do is to sit

people down in front of the camera and ask them questions… I feel like everybody’s a teacher and everybody’s a student. Paulo Freire, a Brazilian author who wrote “Pedagogy of the Oppressed,” feels like education should be a reciprocal process of like, the teacher should be the teacher and the student and the student should be the teacher and the student.

So, when it comes to asking people questions and interviewing people, I’m learning. And when I publish these interviews, I feel like the listener can transform themselves into the place of the person on camera, and hear their story… I think it stems from just being young and sitting in the garage with my grandfather listening to jazz or sitting on the porch with my great-grandfather.

GO TO DEFENDERNETWORK.COM TO SEE VIDEO CLIPS OF JULIAN B. KANE SPEAKING ON HIS LOVE FOR TSU, CHILDHOOD INFLUENCES AND ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS AND FILMMAKERS.

Julian in Dakar Senegal