Houston Defender: April 05, 2018

H.S. ZONE

facebook.com/DefenderNetwork

AUSTIN HIGH STANDOUT BRIANNA LEON A NATURAL AT SOFTBALL P11

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 87 | Number 23 APRIL 5, 2018 |FREE

www.defendernetwork.com

twitter.com/DefenderNetwork

NEWSTALK DISTRICT K candidates vie for seat in May special election

P2 NATIONAL DERRICK JOHNSON leads NAACP lawsuit over census

P3

DEFENDER EXCLUSIVE

‘I AM INNOCENT’

FEATURE TINA THOMPSON heading into Basketball Hall of Fame

Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell addresses allegations H PAGE 6

Kirk Whalum saluted by KTSU

Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Whalum is one of many jazz artists KTSUFM is recognizing on air and through social media during Jazz Appreciation Month. See what else the station has in store.

H PAGE 5

George Springer ready for a repeat

The Houston Astros are the World Series champs and defending champs often have a reputation for not being hungry or motivated. Springer and his fellow Astros say they are ready to defend the crown.

H PAGE

10

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years

P9 TOP EVENTS

Laquetta Kennedy, honoree Georgia Provost and Delilah Francis at Top Ladies of Distinction Project Runway

P12

2

DEFENDER | APRIL 5 | 2018

defendernetwork.com

newstalk

Candidates vie for District K Council seat Anthony Freddie is a former City of Houston employee. He was assistant to Mayor Lee P. Brown’s chief of staff and chair of the Super Neighborhood The race is on for the District K City Council Alliance. He served as assistant to the airport manager seat formerly held by the late Councilman Larry and worked with the Houston Police Department. His Green. Nine candidates are running in the special involvement includes Northeast YMCA and NAACP. election, which will be held on Saturday, May 5.

Elisabeth Johnson is a Texas Southern UniThe term runs through 2019. versity graduate student and author of “Wake Up: A The district includess nine Super NeighborDespairing Cry to the Black Community.” She is a Patricia “Pat” Frazier Martha Castex-Tatum Carl David Evans Larry Blackmon hoods: Astrodome area, Braeswood, Brays Oaks, Houston Black American Democrats board member Central Southwest, Fondren Gardens, Fort Bend and Houston Justice Coalition vice president. She Houston, South Main, Westbury and Willow worked on Bill White’s gubernatorial campaign.

Meadows/Willowbend area. Here is a look at the Lawrence McGaffie is an Army veteran and candidates. ordained minister who has served as an associate/outLarry Blackmon is a retired educator. He is reach minister and youth leader. He worked as director an appointee to HISD’s Project Advisory Board, of community engagement for the MLK Association overseeing bonds for construction of the new Yates of Houston. He founded Inspire the Lead and is a High School, and an active member of the Yates volunteer with God’s Food Pantry.

Alumni Association. He sponsored the Mayor’s Aisha Savoy is employed with the City of Aisha Savoy Anthony Freddie Lawrence McGaffie Elisabeth Johnson Youth Council from 1994 to 2006.

Houston Office of the City Engineer, Floodplain Martha Castex-Tatum is director of ConstituManagement Office. She served as a staff member for He has twice been elected president of the Fort Bend Houston ent Services for District K and has advocated for seniors, small former Councilmember Sue Lovell. She has worked with victims Super Neighborhood Council 41 and designated representative business owners, youth, economic development and beautifiof Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, Rita, Harvey and other disasters. for the Chasewood Community Improvement Association. cation. She was the first African-American woman elected to Gerry Vander-Lyn has worked in various capacities in Patricia “Pat” Frazier has served as a District K educator the San Marcos City Council and served as deputy mayor pro multiple sectors including social services, finance, and nonand member of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s transition team. her tempore. profits. She said she has never run for public office before now, involvement has included Southeast Precinct Judges Council, Carl David Evans is an associate with White-Orugboh and Harris County precinct chair and judge, Senate District 13 execu- choosing instead to support others in that endeavor. (She did not Associates Certified Public Accountants and a licensed minister. provide a photo). tive secretary, and Houston Black American Democrats member.

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

Councilman Green died of accidental drug overdose Defender News Services

The Harris County Medical Examiner ruled that City Councilmember Larry Green died of an overdose of two drugs – methamphetamine (meth), an illegal, addictive stimulant and chloroethane, a recreational inhalant.

Green, 52, was found dead in his home on March 6. His staff members alerted police when he missed a morning meeting and failed to answer phone calls.

“The autopsy results do not diminish the great work he did for the people of District K,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “However, it does remind

us that our actions have consequences.

“I hope everyone will continue to celebrate his life instead of focusing on his death. I was not aware of any substance abuse issues Councilman Green may have struggled with in his personal life.

At City Hall, he was a leader and focused on serving his district,” Turner said.

localbriefs THE CASE OF DANNY RAY THOMAS, the unarmed Black man killed by a Harris County deputy, continues to garner attention.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is asking the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department to investigate whether Thomas’ federal rights were violated. “The Harris County Sheriff’s Department has indicated that the deputy involved in Mr. Thomas’ killing was trained to use non-lethal force and equipped with a Taser, which he did not use,” Jackson Lee said. “I encourage a comprehensive review of this matter.” In addition, the Texas Organizing Project and community allies held a local

rally to protest injustice and police brutality……..

HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS is asking Commissioners Court to call for a $2.5 billion bond election to equitably address flood control issues, including projects in low-income neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

County officials said some bond money would be necessary to take advantage of federal grant funds for projects that require the county to provide matching funds. “If we approve up to $2.5 billion, we could use local dollars to do projects that aren’t on the federal priority list, like all of Greens and Halls Bayous, and many of the tributaries of the larger bayous,” Ellis

said……..APRIL IS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH and Crime Stoppers of Houston is seeking information on 10 wanted fugitives, whose crimes include sexual assault of a child, indecency and bodily injury to a child. The fugitives are Shannon Lamar Brown, Sergio Calorera, Abel Chavez, Wilson Isaac Flores, Jesus Alejandro Galvan, Tomas Martinez, Mohamad Reza Nikbin, Frank Allen Taras Jr., Ralph Earl Towner and Edward Leon Walker Jr. Tipsters will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.

Call 713-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppers.org.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 5 | 2018 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs A CORNER STORE CLERK IN MEMPHIS SHOT a Black teenager to death for shoplifting beer from the store. Anwar Ghazali, a 28-year-old employee at Top Stop Shop, was charged with the first-degree murder of 17-year-old Dorian Harris. The teen walked into the store, swiped “at least one beer,” and left, according to an arrest warrant for Ghazali. Police say the clerk “drew his weapon and ran after” the teen, firing several shots at him as he was walking away. Ghazali never called the police to report the shooting.

Two days later, police discovered Harris’ body a few yards away from the store. He had suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg, according to the affidavit. Ghazali was taken into custody, where police interviewed him and he admitted to firing several shots…….

THE WHITE HOUSE IS FACING FIERCE criticism over the lack of diversity of the participants in its intern program. A recent photograph shows President Donald Trump posing with the spring interns, who are overwhelmingly white…..THE BATON ROUGE POLICE OFFICER WHO KILLED Alton Sterling has been removed from the force and is appealing the decision.

Blane Salamoni has been fired following Sterling’s 2016 shooting death. Bodycam footage of the deadly incident shows Salamoni pulling a gun on Sterling as soon has he arrives to help another officer, Howie Lake II, detain Sterling. Sterling questioned why officers were trying to detain him, but Salamoni replied, “Don’t f*cking move or I’ll shoot your f**king a*s. Put your f**cking hands on the car.” Lake is also shown using a taser on Sterling before Salamoni rushes him. Shots are then heard off-camera……AN AUTOPSY REVEALED THAT STEPHON CLARK was shot eight times, six of those in the back. Sacramento police’s first account said Clark was not only facing them but advancing toward them when he was shot.

3

NAACP sues Trump for possible census undercount Defender News Services

The NAACP is suing President Donald Trump and his administration for failing to take steps to fully count minorities during the upcoming 2020 census, saying that undercounting will cause minority communities to be underfunded.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, claims that undercounting those communities will impact how funding is given to governments Derrick Johnson in those areas and how district maps are drawn.

The civil rights organization sued along with Prince George’s County in Maryland, a majority African-American county located outside of Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs are demanding the U.S. Census Bureau provide enough funding for the 2020 census for it to be as accurate as possible.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement that the parties are demanding that the 2020 census “does not systematically undercount communities having large African-American populations, such as inner-city neighborhoods, while substantially overcounting communities that are less racially diverse.”

“The census must not serve as a mechanism for dilut-

ing the political power of African-American communities and depriving them of their fair share of federal resources for an entire decade,” Johnson continued.

The lawsuit calls on the court to require that the Census Bureau “propose and implement, subject to this Court’s approval and monitoring, a plan to ensure that hard-to-count populations will be actually enumerated in the decennial census.”

The lawsuit comes just days after the Trump administration announced it would be including a question about citizenship on the 2020 census, drawing intense criticism from Democratic states and civil rights groups, including the NAACP. Several blue states have already sued over the census question, arguing that including the question could cause immigrants in the country illegally to avoid the census and lead to undercounting of residents in some areas.

While the State of California filed a separate lawsuit, the New York attorney general announced he was leading a multistate lawsuit to stop the census questions. Officials in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington said they would join the effort.

Blacks losing federal civil service jobs Defender News Services VOLUME 87 • NUMBER 23 APRIL 5, 2018 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Strategic Alliance Manager

Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Videographer

Jodie B. Jiles

Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

There has been limited progress in diversifying the staffs of federal government offices, especially for African-Americans, whose representation has dropped when it comes to senior executive positions.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) revealed that diversity levels have stayed flat and actually decreased in some areas, according to the recently released Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program Report to Congress for fiscal year 2016.

The percentage of white staffers in the Senior Executive Service (SES) was 21.2 percent, the same as it was in FY 2015. For African-Americans, however, report data indicated a negative pattern.

The percentage of Blacks in the SES, the highest

civil-service rank, decreased from 11.4 percent to 11 percent.

There’s also a wide variation in Black representation across federal agencies. The number of African-Americans in executive departments, for example, ranges from about 38 percent in Education and Housing and Urban Development to a low of 5.6 percent in the Department of the Interior.

The data seems to speak to a harmful trend of discrimination against African-Americans in seeking federal employment, a pattern that many Americans don’t believe will be corrected under President Trump.

The Coalition of Change found that 108 classaction complaints were filed regarding federal employment discrimination against Black people from 2005 to 2015.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years

4

DEFENDER | APRIL 5 | 2018

defendernetwork.com

Holder says age of bullies, bigots not over tion has made progress in the past 50 years achieving racial, social and economic justice. He said women, minorities, stuDespite advances the country has made since dents against gun violence and members of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. was slain while fighting poverty and racism, “the age of bul- the LGBTQ community have been inspired

by King’s nonviolent protests and have lies and bigots is not fully behind us,” said launched movements calling for “fairness, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

The remark was one of two thinly veiled opportunity and justice.”

Holder also noted that King’s dream of references to President Donald Trump that equality for all has not been reached.

Holder made during his appearance at a “We’re still marching, we are still strivsymposium on the first of three days of ing, and we’re still calling on our nation’s events commemorating the 50th anniversary leaders to act with a sense of justice, comof King’s assassination. passion and common humanity,” Holder King was supporting striking sanitation said. workers when he came to Memphis in 1968.

“The unfortunate fact is that in 2018, He was talking with friends on the balcony America’s long struggle to overcome injusof the Lorraine Motel on April 4 when he tice, to eliminate disparities and eradicate was struck by a rifle bullet and killed. violence has not yet ended, and the age of Museums, colleges and activists orgabullies and bigots is not fully behind us.” nized three days of marches, speeches and Holder said he has spoken with young conferences to remember King and his legapeople who feel lost in their own country cy. His daughter Rev. Bernice King, Holder and are “fearful that America’s too-longand a group of ministers were scheduled to standing divisions are threatening to tear our tour the National Civil Rights Museum. nation apart.”

Holder, who was the first Black U.S. Holder said he is concerned with gun attorney general, spoke at a symposium violence, the disproportional incarceration sponsored by the University of Memphis and the museum. He was introduced by U.S. of young Black men, and uneven educaSen. Doug Jones, an Alabama Democrat who tional opportunities for minorities. He said the “chief civil rights issue of our time” is won a special election in December. ensuring minorities have equal voting rights.

Holder said he is proud that the naFRO-17031-HoustonDefender-DecentCoffee-9p75x6p5.pdf 1 3/9/17 3:21 PM Associated Press

Former Attorney General Eric Holder spoke at a Memphis symposium coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 5 | 2018 | DEFENDER

entertainment

5

KTSU celebrates Jazz in April

By VON JILES Defender

From the sultry sounds of Nina Simone to the scat of Al Jarreau to the melodic tones of Joe Sample tickling the ivories on the piano, jazz in all its many colors has a wide range of admirers. April is Jazz Appreciation Month and KTSU-FM has an array of activities lined up.

“Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) is an international celebration created in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History,” said KTSU General Manager Ernest Walker.

“KTSU has been in the community for over 45 years and jazz is the dominant genre on this station located on the campus of Texas Southern University. It’s the number one source for jazz in the Houston and surrounding area.”

The radio station’s celebration includes a daily on-air salute to jazz artists along with free and paid concerts at Discovery Green Park, Emancipation Park and the House of Blues during April.

The role KTSU plays in the celebration has special meaning.

“Many nationally known jazz musicians came from TSU such as the Crusaders, Kirk Whalum, Bobbi Humphrey and Joe Sample, just to name a few,” Walker said.

KTSU is not your ordinary jazz station. It is a public radio station that informs, educates and inspires people through the variety of musical programming.

“We give our audience the entire musical experience of jazz, including be-bop, contemporary, Latin jazz and much more,” he said. “KTSU leaves no jazz category unturned when it comes to the American art form we love.”

For more information about activities visit www.ktsuradio.com.

KTSU Concert schedule KTSU will host the following events for Jazz Appreciation Month:

FREE CONCERTS

• Saturday, April 7, 6:30 p.m., Robert Glasper (native Houstonian & Grammy winner), Emancipation Park • Friday, April 20, 6:30 p.m., DaCamera Jam featuring Raquel Cepeda, Discovery Green • Saturday, April 21 & Sunday, April 22, 11 a.m., variety of performers, Willow Waterhole Music Fest, Willow Waterhole Park • Thursday, April 26, 6:30 p.m., DaCamera Jam featuring Mwenso & the Shakers, Discovery Green

Cassandra Wilson

Wynton Marsalis is among the jazz greats who will be saluted on air and through social media.

Kirk Whalum

TICKETED CONCERT

Salute to Jazz artists KTSU is saluting artists every day in April on air and through social media platforms. They include:

Al Jarreau Branford Marsalis Ramsey Lewis Ronnie Laws Herbie Hancock

Dianne Reeves Dee Bridgewater Rachelle Ferrell Nancy Wilson Diana Krall

• Sunday, April 22, KTSU Bayou Jazz Series featuring Marion Meadows & Paul Brown, House of Blues (for info & tickets visit www. tsuradio.com)

what’sup The TYLER PERRY movie “Acrimony” starring TARAJI P. HENSON debuted in second place at the box office, driven by an overwhelmingly female audience. It came in second behind “Ready Player One,” and grossed $17.1 million over the weekend. It was followed by “Black Panther,” in third place with $11.3 million. In the movie, Henson is a faithful wife tired of standing by her devious husband, LYRIQ BENT. She is enraged when it becomes clear that he betrayed her………TRACY MORGAN, TIFFANY HADDISH and CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER star in “The Last O.G.,” a new TBS comedy co-created by JORDAN PEELE.

It airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. Morgan portrays an ex-con who is shocked to see how much the world has changed when he is released from prison after a 15-year stint. Returning to his newly gentrified Brooklyn neighborhood, he discovers that his former girlfriend (Haddish) has married a successful white man raising the twins he never knew existed. He falls back on the skills he learned in prison to make ends meet while treading unfamiliar territory……..

Reality star BLAC CHYNA spent Easter getting involved in an altercation with an unidentified woman at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif. Chyna was there with a group of people

that included her son and daughter. Video of the fight shows Chyna taking off her jacket and trying to use her children’s hot pink toy car to swing at someone……..ERICA CAMPBELL of the gospel duo MARY MARY and her producer husband WARRYN CAMPBELL will soon star in a new TV One docu-series titled “We’re the Campbells.”

The nine-episode series will follow them as they raise their three children, work on building their individual empires, grow their church ministry and maintain their strong faith. The Campbells are executive producers of the series, which will debut in June.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years

6

DEFENDER | APRIL 5 | 2018

‘I AM

Pastor Kirby

W

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY & VON JILES Defender

hen Windsor Village United Methodist Church pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell first got word that a federal grand jury was indicting him for bilking investors out of more than $3.48 mil-

Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell

lion, he went “numb.”

Caldwell had spent the last 36 years working in the Houston community, dedicating his time, money and energy to helping others. So the idea that he would suddenly pivot and try to take advantage of people was disheartening.

But that’s exactly what federal officials in Louisiana said the megachurch pastor did. Caldwell, along with Gregory Alan Smith are accused of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit those two offenses. According to the indictment, Smith used his influence as operator and manager of Smith Financial Group LLC in Shreveport, and Caldwell used his influence as pastor of a prominent Houston church to lure investors to pay more than $3.48 million for Historical Chinese bonds.

“These bonds were issued by the former Republic of China prior to losing power to the Communist government in 1949,” prosecutors said in a news release. “They are not recognized by China’s current government and have no investment value.”

And instead of investing, prosecutors say the pair “used them to pay personal loans, credit card balances, mortgages, vehicle purchases and other personal expenses,” the release states. If convicted, Caldwell and Smith face up to 30 years in prison.

According to the complaint, the investors’ faith in Smith and Caldwell was a major factor in procuring the funds for the bogus bonds.

“Although many investors did not understand the investment, they ultimately trusted Smith and took comfort in the fact that a high-profile pastor was offering the investment,” the complaint states.

Caldwell – who plans to surrender to Louisiana authorities in the coming days - calls the allegations a “painful pit stop.” He sat down with the Defender to address the allegations.

Defender: What did you think of the indictment when you first heard of it?

Kirbyjon numb becau are legitimat support that, evidence of for his or he manner. One money back of the sell is Defend when it is fi you’re facin ing yourself Caldwe investors wh another pers phone. I sha hand, which could be pu comfort and was always As for misre to any of the Defend tions in the Caldwe older people investors in

defendernetwork.com

defendernetwork.com

D E F E N D E R E XC LU S I V E

M INNOCENT’

yjon Caldwell addresses allegations

n Caldwell: I was absolutely shocked and use I hadn’t done anything wrong. A, the bonds te, they’re not fraudulent. I have evidence to , lots of it. B, the bonds have value, I have that as well. Thirdly, everyone who has asked er money back got it, in full, in a very timely e might ask why would someone ask for their k. The answer would be because the process s taking a lot longer than I anticipated. der: An indictment has even greater weight filed on a federal level, explain the charges ng: Defrauding investors and misrepresentf. ell: First of all, I didn’t know any of the hen this process began. They were chosen by son. In a few instances, I was placed on the ared with them documentation I had in my h supported my reason for thinking the bonds urchased. Based on that, they had a level of d they went forward. And of course, there the safety net of getting your money back. epresenting. – I didn’t even present myself e investors der: What upset you most about the accusaindictment? ell: The accusation that I took advantage of e First of all, I didn’t approach any of the n Louisiana. Everyone who has wanted his or

Church members show support

her money back has gotten it.

There have been two or three cases where investors in their 50s, 60s have needed money but did not want to get out of the deal. So what did I do? I advanced them the money, I loaned them the money. That has happened on multiple occasions. That’s how much confidence I had in the deal. That’s how much I did not want anyone to ever think that they were being abused. That was the furthest thing from my mind.

Defender: Some people say this indictment is a confirmation of the greed of megachurches and a reason they don’t attend large churches or churches at all. What’s your response?

Caldwell: Greed comes in all sizes. In this particular case, the motivation was not greed. The motivation was to provide funding for a fairly substantial humanitarian project. That is still our mission. It’s still on the table. I would say persons who don’t want to attend a church can come up with a lot of different reasons Defender: What do you want the community to know about you and the indictment filed against you?

Caldwell: I am innocent. I would also want to thank the community, particularly the Christian community to know how deeply I regret this process. The negative publicity that I’ve gotten, which I’m told has caused some other folk to take some flak, who are believers are well. At this point, it’s real. But the end is not here yet.

m • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years

Windsor Village United Methodist Church has a congregation of more than 16,000. To say many of them were shocked by the recent charges is an understatement.

Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell is known and loved by so many, so news of the indictment is shocking and to some, unbelievable. Despite the charges, many of those members are sticking by him and showing their support.

“I don’t believe one iota of any of it because I know my pastor. I’ve been there for 33 years. I’ve seen him do nothing but good for people.

I’ve seen him pray for people when he could barely hold up himself. It’s too much good in him. Everyone who knows him knows there is not a bad seed in him anywhere. We have to pray and stand behind the man who has stood by us.” – Dorothy Cook “Anyone who knows our pastor, knows he’s a man of integrity. The same man that during Hurricane Harvey, spent every day at the Kingdom Builder’s Center making sure needs were being met. I tell people to keep praying and lifting him up.”

–Ray Bady “Kirbyjon Caldwell is the number one ethical preacher in this city and we are all in for him. All in. That’s our tune now is all in.”

-Howard Jefferson “He’s everything. He’s a leader, he’s a supporter, and he’s an encourager. He prays for us. He covers us.

So in return, that’s what we’re doing for him.” -Sherrie Barrett.

7

8

DEFENDER | APRIL 5 | 2018

defendernetwork.com

South African activist Winnie Mandela dies Associated Press

Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist in her own right whose reputation was sullied by scandal, has died. She was 81.

The woman many South Africans have described as the “Mother of the Nation” and a champion of the Black majority, died “surrounded by her family and loved ones,” according to a statement released by Madikizela-Mandela’s family.

Madikizela-Mandela was the second of Mandela’s three wives, married to him from 1958 to 1996.

Mandela, who died in 2013, was imprisoned throughout most of their marriage, and Madikizela-Mandela’s own activism against white minority rule led to her being jailed for months

and placed under house arrest for years.

“She kept the memory of her imprisoned husband Nelson Mandela alive during his years on Robben Island and helped give the struggle for justice in South Africa one of its most recognizable faces,” the family said.

Nobel laureate and former archbishop Desmond Tutu, a periodic critic of the ruling party, noted her passing by describing Madikizela-Mandela as “a defining symbol” of the fight against apartheid.

“She refused to be bowed by the imprisonment of her husband, the perpetual harassment of her family by security forces, detentions, bannings and banishment,” Tutu said. “Her courageous defiance was deeply inspirational to me, and to generations of activists.”

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

Peavy honored

Judge John Peavy is joined by his wife Diane at a portrait unveiling and dedication ceremony commemorating his public service. Peavy was a trailblazer as a family law judge and justice of the peace. He was also a Senior District Court judge and City Councilmember. Three other judges were honored along with Peavy.

Facilities Master Planning Underway

April community meetings planned to seek community feedback Tuesday, April 10 Wednesday, April 11

Fort Bend ISD wants to hear from YOU!

All meetings will be held from 7 – 9 p.m.

The content is the same at each meeting in April.

Participants may attend any of the meetings, and meetings will be recorded so that those unable to attend can review information and provide feedback.

Elkins High School 7007 Knights Court Missouri City, TX 77459

Austin High School 3434 Pheasant Creek Drive Sugar Land, TX 77498

More information: www.fortbendisd.com/facilitiesmasterplan

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 5 | 2018 | DEFENDER

9

Thompson named to Basketball Hall of Fame Defender News Services

Former Houston Comets All-Star Tina Thompson is headed into the pro Basketball Hall of Fame.

She was honored for her stellar college, professional and Olympic career when she was recently named to the 2018 Class of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Thompson, the associate head coach for the University of Texas women’s basketball team, joins a list that includes NBA greats Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Grant Hill and former Ohio State and WNBA standout Katie Smith.

The enshrinement ceremony will take place on Friday, September 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Springfield Symphony Hall in Springfield, Mass.

“I’m so overwhelmed by the honor,” Thompson said. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around the news.

To think I played the game of basketball simply because I loved it. It suited me and became one of those things you just knew you were meant to do. All the while not knowing it would become the center of my life and lead me to the unimaginable.

“I worked extremely hard at it because I wanted to be the best I could be, as I do with most things in my life,” she said. “Simply put, I wanted to win and, in order to do that, I had to be pretty good. It has now taken me to the end of the road – the highest point.”

Throughout her 17-year professional playing career, Thompson was a four-time WNBA champion with the Houston Comets (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000), a member of

Tina Thompson, a UT women’s basketball coach, is a four-time WNBA champion and second all-time leading scorer.

the WNBA All-Decade team, an eight-time All-WNBA team selection, a nine-time WNBA All-Star, and the WNBA All-Star MVP in 2000.

Thompson ended her professional career with the Seattle Storm in 2013. She remains the league’s second-leading all-time scorer behind Diana Taurasi (7,867 points).

On the international level, Thompson has won two Olympic gold medals as a member of Team USA in 2004 (Athens) and 2008 (Beijing).

The class also includes Jason Kidd, Maurice Cheeks, coach Lefty Driesell, Charlie Scott, longtime executive Rick Welts, NBA executive Rod Thorn, the late Ora Mae Washington and Croatian star Dino Radja.

You’re invited!

Open House

018 April 14-24, 2

m. - 2 p.m.

April 14 • 11 a.

LSC-North Harris Drive 2700 W.W. Thorne 281.618.5400

• Help with financial aid & FAFSA! • Meet with advisors & professors!

• Get info on clubs and activities!

- 6:30 p.m.

April 17 • 4:30 er LSC-Victory Cent ive Dr ry cto 4141 Vi 281.810.5602 - 6:30 p.m.

April 24 • 4:30 Center LSC-Greenspoint Parkway E. 250 N. Sam Houston 281.260.3500

LoneStar.edu/OpenHouse

10

DEFENDER | APRIL 5 | 2018

defendernetwork.com

sports

Astros set to defend World Series title

By MAX EDISON Defender

A new baseball season has begun and the Houston Astros are the defending World Series champs. It’s time to see if the MLB’s top squad in 2017 can defend that crown in 2018.

Despite the many offseason moves made by other AL teams, including the dreaded Yankees, pitching staff ace Justin Verlander is confident that the Astros are the team to beat.

“Those teams are going to have to beat us and I like being in that position,” Verlander said. “We won the World Series last year and we got better this year. That’s a pretty good recipe for success.

I’m excited to be here for a whole season. The American League goes through us.

“I think everyone in this locker room needs to understand it’s a new season and just because we won last year, we’re not afforded anything this season,” Verlander continued.

“Obviously the old saying, ‘to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best,’ [is true] and I think we proved we were last year.”

Most experienced baseball pundits warn of a certain malaise or “hangover” that tends to befall teams in the year after winning a title.

Defending champs often have a reputation for not being hungry or motivated, and almost lackadaisical. Astros manager A.J. Hinch doesn’t feel that will happen with his team.

“Most people will ask you about contentment, complacency – those big, ugly words that can tear down a team when they have success,” Hinch said.

“I think our approach has been directly the opposite. I think we work a little bit more, take a deeper dive into what we’re doing. It’s how I’m wired, it’s how our coaches are wired.

Our whole organization is built around trying to find a competitive edge when we can. I think there is a physical and mental toll that playing late in the season takes on you, but sign me up again.”

The Astros can repeat because the core of their team is young and totally intact. AL George Springer MVP Jose Altuve, World Series MVP George Springer, MVP contender and All-Star Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman form the nucleus. Mix in Marwin Gonzalez, Yuli Gurriel and Josh Reddick and you’ve got one of the most explosive offenses in MLB. The pitching staff is elite. Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton are as good as it gets. Chris Devenski, Will Harris, Colin McHugh, Brad Peacock and Ken Giles will be the top relievers in the bullpen.

All-Star Springer discussed the players’ approach to a repeat performance.

“We want to start off well, win our division and go from there,” Springer said. “It’s hard enough to win one [championship], let alone two. Our team has the chemistry to do it, has the capability to do it. We understand a lot has to go right over the course of 162 plus games and it’s not easy to do. The experience that we have now is, let’s learn from 2017, now on to 2018.”

The Astros are once again the favorites to win the AL West. Barring injury, expect Read about Rockets’ record-breaking them to be there when the dust settles for the regular season AL championships and a chance to defend their crown.

Charlie Morton

“Our whole organization is built around trying to find a competitive edge when we can.”

-A.J. Hinch, Astros manager

Jose Altuve

defendernetwork.com

Justin Verlander

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years

defendernetwork.com

h.s.zone Austin High standout Leon a natural at softball “Brianna was special from the first practice that we had her and she’s been balling for us ever since,” Zamora said.

Brianna Leon exudes confidence on the softball “Bri’s a high-powered player and she’s been doing field. She’s not conceited and everybody that sees her is that for four years. She’s a testament to her hard work, her convinced of her abilities. parents and the coaches that brought her up and gave her Leon is a four-year starter, scholar athlete and multiple to me,” Zamora said all-district selection for Houston’s Stephen F. Austin High Leon credits her athletic father for being the first one School. While she competes for SFA, she actually attends to guide her in the right direction. nearby Energy Institute High School.

“He said I probably wasn’t coordinated enough to After her senior year is complete for the playoff be a ballerina so let’s figure out something else,” she said. bound Lady Mustangs in “God gave me speed and District 24-5A, Leon will I thank him because with take her immense skill set that ability I get to play at to the collegiate level and the next level.”

Find out what’s happening with play for the University of Speed along with Furr softball team Houston-Victoria. tremendous eye-hand “To be honest I have coordination is a combinato give credit to her coaches tion that makes Leon a in Little League and select ball because they built her powerful package within a petite up to be a great player,” said Austin head coach Mike frame.

Zamora.

She appreciates the intanIn Austin’s 18-2 four-inning gibles of softball such as meshing run rule victory over longtime with players of varying degrees of southeast Houston rival Milby talent. at Barnett Stadium, Leon put “It helps with work together another typical perforexperience and working mance. with different types After popping out to of girls,” Leon said. shortstop in her first at-bat, Leon “I learn from the walked and scored, clubbed a girls that don’t know two-run home run over the lefthow to play with field fence and scalded an RBI their perspective of single to shortstop in her final softball. I get to help plate appearance of the game. them become a betLeon finished 2-for-3 ter player and they with three runs scored, three help me become a RBIs and a home run. Teammate better person. and third baseman Amara Aguilar also had “Softball has a productive outing going 3-for-3 with two always been my pasdoubles and four RBIs. sion. I tried to play volleyball and basketball and it wasn’t my thing,” Leon said.

About Brianna Leon “So, I just stuck to Birth date – May 11, 2000 softball and worked Birth sign – Taurus hard.”

Favorite subject – Economics Leon thrives off Possible college major – the team concept.

Criminology or pre-law “We have group Favorite meal – Fried shrimp & fries chats and mimes and make World problem she would solve – cheers so that everything is Poverty flowing right,” she said. “It feels Favorite athletes – Sierra Romero good so there are positive vibes (softball), Jose Altuve (baseball) moving forward.”

If she could be a celebrity for a day – Oprah Winfrey

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 5 | 2018 | DEFENDER

11

sportsbriefs Jefferson Player of Year Boxtorow, a nationally syndicated media outlet featuring HBCUs, has named Texas Southern University sophomore guard Damontrae Jefferson its National Player of the Year for college basketball. The 5-foot-7 Milwaukee native helped to lead the Tigers to the SWAC tournament championship and an appearance and win in the NCAA tournament. He led the SWAC and was eighth in the nation in scoring (23.2), averaged 4.5 assists per game, shot 40 percent from three-point range, shot 82 percent from the free throw line and averaged 1.2 steals per game, all which ranked him in the top 10 in the SWAC.

Cougars flex at relays The University of Houston Cougars finished the 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays with a bang winning six events, four individual and two relays on the meet’s final day in Austin.

The team of Amere Lattin, Cameron Burrell, Kahmari Montgomery and Elijah Hall won the 800-meter relay in 1:21.20. The team of John Lewis III, Hall, Burrell and Nick Alexander stormed down the back stretch to edge LSU 38.915 to 38.919. In the 4x100 relay senior Burrell won the 100 meters with a time of 10.01. Hall, the American record holder in the indoor 200, captured the 200 meters with a time of 20.11. On the women’s side, Nora Monie won both the discus and shot put events. She won the discus with a throw of 170-3 (51.91m) and the shot put with a throw of 50-0.75 (15.26m).

George Ranch gets Cavallo The Lamar Consolidated ISD Board of Trustees named Nick Cavallo the new head football coach and athletic coordinator at George Ranch High School at its March meeting. Cavallo replaces Ricky Tullos, who recently took the same position at Pearland High School.

Since 2013 Cavallo has served as defensive coordinator at Terry High School under head coaches Tim Teykl and Cornelius Anthony.

Cavallo played college football at Purdue University and served on coaching staffs at Purdue, Rutgers and Campbell University before joining the Rangers. Cavallo was a special education teacher at Terry while also serving as an assistant coach in football, soccer and track and field. The Rangers went 25-28 in his five years as defensive coordinator and advanced to the postseason the past two years.

George Ranch competed at the Class 6A level the last two seasons. The Longhorns won the 2015 Class 5A Division I state championship with a perfect 16-0 mark. Cavallo’s wife, Kristen, is head volleyball coach and softball coach at Lamar Consolidated High School. Their three children attend LCISD schools.

Bayou Bowl rosters set Rosters are set for the 16th annual Bayou Bowl high school football all-star game scheduled for June 9 at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown. Standouts from more than 50 Houston area public schools will participate in the contest that features an East versus West format for the fifth consecutive year. The game initially featured Texas All-Stars against Louisiana All-Stars. Top players include Derrick McClendon (LB Hightower), Lance Jones (OL Manvel), Stephen Gay (OL Marshall) and Joshua Reed (LB Heights).

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years

12

DEFENDER | APRIL 5 | 2018

defendernetwork.com

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

topevents

TOP LADIES’ PROJECT RUNWAY……..2018 Project Runway, a fashion Sharee Hawkins, Yungchris, Ceddy B, Tracy Rangel, Savannah Jackson, show and fundraiser for the Top Ladies of Distinction Houston Chapter, was Raya Danielle, Phuka Ditruo, Vashti Padmore, Maisha Walker, Lilyette held at the Power Center. The event raised funds to support TLOD educational Mendoza, Anana Walker, Brette Seffens, Rachel Frank, Wesley McKinney, scholarships. Mistress of ceremony and chapter president Kathy Wilson led the Jaelyn Stewart and countless others.……..FOR THE SAKE OF ART 2018 festivities that honored community heroes Lady Jacqueline Carter, Lady Georgia KICK-OFF……..The For the Sake of Art 2018 wearable art competition held its Provost, Lord Ron Wilson and Lord Andre Randle Sr. The fashion show and the kick-off event at the Texas Southern University Museum. The competition, which Cool Breeze Band provided entertainment for attendees, who included ReShane will be held June 9 at the Hilton Americas Grand Ballroom, celebrates the vibrant Dawn Fowler, Margaret Williams, Audrie Lawton, Janice talent of emerging artists and designers while highlighting Carr, Aria, Adrian and Ava Katherine Bean, Carmen Defender TOP EVENTS the permanent collection of African-American art at the TSU Kirksey, Micaela and Micaiah Simmons and many more……..

Museum and serving as the venue’s major fundraiser. The More photos on defendernetwork.com SOUNDBOX BIRTHDAY BASH 8……..Soundbox Studios kick-off event provided a preview of the June festivities to hosted Birthday Bash 8, a celebration of the dance studio’s come. Museum director Dr. Alvia Wardlaw and event chairs growing legacy of producing some of the top dance teams in the state and nation.

Mary Auzenne, Gaynell Drexler and Evelyn Washington welcomed an array Owners Andrew Nguyen and Calvin Eata welcomed a standing-room-only of supporters including Andrea Bonner, Sabrina Loeb, Catherine and Michael crowd to Warehouse Live for the competition that showcased dance teams Lady Garner, Bola Patrick, Meagan Alexander, Dr. Sarah Trotty, Michelle Barnes, Rascals, Wildstyl, Lunchbox, Riot Squad, Galing Cru and more. Attendees included Ernest Walker, Lloyd Gite, Chellilina Ezenibe and more.

Laquetta Kennedy, Georgia Provost, Delilah Francis

Sharee Hawkins, Raya Danielle, Perla Nacias

Dr. Alvia Wardlaw, Sabrina Loeb

Aria Bean, Adrian Bean, Ava Katherine Bean

Calvin Eata, Anana Walker

Evelyn Washington, Gaynell Drexler, Mary Auzenne, Angela Daniel

Janice Carr, Kathy Wilson

Toyreale White, Lala Danielle, Nichel Ntou Toume

Brandon Carson, Brandi Carson

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years