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Volume 83 | Number 23
APRIL 10, 2014 |FREE
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NATIONAL REV. BERNICE KING involved in family feud
P4 FEATURE ALLISON BOOKERBROOKS named YWCA director
P9 CHAG’S PLACE
Education
Revolution KIPP turns 20 H Page 6
Honoree State Sen. Rodney Ellis & Brandon Dudley at roast & toast
P12 ONLINE KELVIN SAMPSON named UH basketball coach
Lance Gross undergoes ‘Crisis’
Lindsey Stewart prefers softball
Actor Lance Gross made a name for himself as an award-winning cast member of Tyler Perry’s sitcom “House of Payne.” He currently stars in the new NBC drama “Crisis.” Discover how he prepared for his role as a Secret Service agent. Find out what he says about Perry.
Pearland High School centerfielder Lindsey Stewart is an excellent athlete who could have run track, but she chose softball instead. See why she made that choice. Hear her thoughts on getting dirty “and stuff.” Learn why her coach believes she makes things happen.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 10 | 2014
newstalk
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Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee speaks on the importance of voting rights.
Sex offenders leave Acres Homes Defender News Services
Hearing highlights voting rights issues
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By CIERRA DUNCAN Defender
he National Commission on Voting Rights recently held an open hearing in Houston to give the public an opportunity to speak on their voting experiences. The commission is currently holding hearings nationwide, and will document speakers’ testimonies to help create election reform efforts that can help end voter discrimination. The forum was held at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. A panel of state voting rights leaders heard testimony on such issues as young voter disenfranchisement, suppression and administration problems such as record maintenance. “Voting rights is not the denial of the rights of anyone,” said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. “It is the opening of doors of opportunity for all. “The Voting Rights Act safeguarded the rights of Americans to vote and stood as an obstacle to many of the
more egregious attempts by certain states, including Texas, to gain the system by passing discriminatory changes in their election laws and administration policies.” She added that the Voting Rights Act is needed more than ever to prevent disenfranchisement. Cynthia Spooner, a Houston resident, said she has lived in Texas for the past 10 years. She has voted in six other states but said Texas is the only place where she encountered challenges. She tried three times before she successfully received a voter’s registration card and has been challenged at least eight times while trying to vote in Harris County. “I have lived my life believing that I’m not here on a hall pass,” Spooner said. “I want every right that my parents fought for and that everyone deserves. It’s not just about my rights. It’s about the rights of the whole community.” In addition to the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, supporting organizations included the Texas State Conference of the NAACP, Houston Area Urban League and 100 Black Men of America, Houston Metropolitan Chapter.
State Rep. Sylvester Turner said he is “glad” that the high-risk sex offenders at the center of a community controversy are being moved out of an Acres Homes facility. “I have been informed that 27 sex offenders in a facility in my district will be moved to a halfway house in a more appropriate location,” Turner said. The men were originally housed at the Southwest Texas Transitional Treatment Center. They were kept in state custody even after serving their prison sentences because they were considered dangerous to the public. Over the past few weeks, they were quietly moved into a facility called True Safe Haven on West Montgomery in Acres Homes. No notice was given to residents or the elected officials who represent the area. The move angered neighborhood residents and Turner immediately began working to reverse the transfer. “I’m glad these offenders have been moved out of this neighborhood but they should never have been put there in the first place,” Turner said. “When I return to the Legislature next year, you can be sure one bill I will file will ensure that such offenders cannot be placed in a location without full public disclosure.”
localbriefs THE VIDEO OF A BRAWL at Chacho’s restaurant on Westheimer has gone viral. The video shows a fight between three Black women customers and restaurant employees. The altercation began over a refund and to-go cup for alcoholic beverages. The video shows an employee grabbing the head of a customer and another employee throwing a customer to the floor. A manager and two employees were later fired. Activist Quanell X organized a protest at the restaurant and said the women deserve justice. “Not one man went to jail for pounding, punching and pulling hair and wrestling a woman to the
ground,” he said…….. THREE HOSPITALIZED VICTIMS of the Fort Hood shooting tragedy are listed in fair condition and continue to improve. The Killeen military base was the site of a violent incident on April 2 when Specialist Ivan Antonio Lopez snapped in a dispute over obtaining a leave form, killing three people and wounding 16 before committing suicide……...FOUR PRAIRIE VIEW A&M students will represent the university at the 25th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Championship Tournament from April 1216 in Torrance, Calif. PV is represented by Brannon A. Billings of Austin, Joseph M. Dowell of Killeen,
Isaac Hassan Hoyt of Cincinnati and Christoff M. Lindsey of Camden, N.J. Finalists in the academic tournament will compete for a grand prize of $50,000. PV is a past national champion, having won the title in 2010……..HOUSTONIANS who need documents shredded are invited to a free shredding and ID theft prevention event on Saturday, April 19, at 8 a.m. at Stimley-Blue Ridge Branch Library, 7007 W. Fuqua The event is sponsored by the Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office in partnership with the Houston Police Department and Data Shredding Services. For information call 832-3930955 or visit houstontx.gov/cao.
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APRIL 10 | 2014 | DEFENDER
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DEFENDER | APRIL 10 | 2014
national
U.S.briefs
Pressure mounts for higher minimum wage
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NNPA News Service
ivil rights groups, labor organizers and their allies are stepping up pressure on Congress to pass legislation raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour by 2016. During a press conference on Capitol Hill, Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, said that in the 1930s, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt envisioned the idea for a minimum wage, it was about respect for American families, workers Marc Morial and other supporters of a higher minimum wage gather in Washington, D.C. and children. Rep. Keith Ellison (Dless than 15 percent are teenagers. Minn.) didn’t mince words. “The people need a raise,” • Nearly one-third of low-wage workers have some exclaimed Ellison. “The people got to get paid!” college experience and about 10 percent have earned a Many fast food workers are among those who four-year degree. receive minimum wage. According to a report by the • More than 2.2 million single mothers would benUniversity of California-Berkeley and the University efit from raising the minimum wage. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, nearly a quarter of “Women and women of color who are often single front-line fast food workers are Black. parents and who are often stuck in low-wage jobs are “Even at 40 hours a week, however, more than half being hurt and that means that their children are being (52 percent) of front-line fast-food workers’ families hurt and that is bad for our economic future as well as participate in public programs,” stated the report. our social fabric,” said Thea Lee, deputy chief of staff Other statistics show that: for the AFL-CIO. • Blacks account for 11 percent of the labor “We are short-changing our own future when we force but comprise more than 14 percent of low-wage allow children to grow up in homes of poverty. It’s workers. a disgrace and it’s something that the United States • The average age of low-wage workers is 35 and should not tolerate.”
Ruling ousts lawyer in King family feud Defender News Services
A new ruling was issued in the prolonged legal dispute involving the children of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A Fulton County judge ruled that a lawyer for the estate of Dr. King cannot participate in a disagreement over the ownership of his Bible and Nobel Peace Prize medal. As a result, King’s sons, Martin Luther King III and Dexter Scott King, will have to find a new lawyer in their fight to sell the items. Lawyers for Rev. Bernice King asked the judge to disqualify estate lawyer William Hill
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because he was appointed by another judge to help resolve a 2008 dispute between the King children. Bernice is opposed to the sale of the Bible and medal, which are in a safe deposit box controlled by the court. “I take this strong position for my father because Daddy is not here to say for himself, ‘My Bible and my medals are not to be sold,’ “ she said. “When the record books are written, let it be said that there was at least one heir who tried to further the legacy.” Hill said the money obtained from the sale was crucial to the estate’s viability.
OBAMACARE appears to be making a difference. According to recent Gallup Poll findings, the percentage of Americans without health insurance dropped to 15.6 percent in the first quarter of 2014, and is now at its lowest level since 2008. The uninsured rate for lowerincome Americans dropped 3.2 points to 27.5 percent while the uninsured rate for Blacks fell 3.3 points to 17.6 percent. Hispanics remain most likely to lack health insurance, though their rate dropped 1.7 points in the first quarter. More than 7 million Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act by the March 31 deadline……..THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND is working to uphold its altered slogan, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.” UNCF President Michael Lomax recently called for renewed financial support for the 37 HBCU member institutions. “Today our member schools are facing a financial crisis as severe as any in UNCF history,” Lomax said. “The irony of this situation is that the financial crisis comes at a time when interest by African-American high school students in attending HBCUs has been on the rise for over a decade.” Between 2001 and 2013, UNCF colleges have seen a 78 percent rise in applications. Texas UNCF schools are Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Jarvis Christin College in Hawkins, Texas College in Tyler and Wiley College in Marshall…….. JESSE JACKSON JR. has been transferred to a new, minimum-security federal facility prison in Alabama following a dispute at the North Carolina prison where he was serving a 30-month sentence for misusing campaign funds. The former Chicago congressman was locked in solitary confinement in North Carolina after a guard “took exception” with him advising inmates about their prison rights. Jackson challenged the legitimacy of the confinement and was cleared of any wrongdoing at a hearing.
VOLUME 83 • NUMBER 23 APRIL 10, 2014 Print Editor Publisher Marilyn Marshall Sonceria Messiah-Jiles People Editor Advertising/Client Relations Yvette Chargois Selma Dodson Tyler Sports Editors Multimedia Manager Max Edison Tiffany Williams Darrell K. Ardison Online Editor Local Editor ReShonda Billingsley LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Contributing Writer Tony Fernandez-Davila Cierra Duncan The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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APRIL 10 | 2014 | DEFENDER
entertainment
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Lance Gross
From ‘House of Payne’ to ‘Crisis’
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NNPA News Service
ance Gross is known to most TV fans as Calvin Payne in the Tyler Perry sitcom “House of Payne.” The show ran from 2006 to 2012 and is still in syndication. Gross can currently be seen in the new crime thriller “Crisis,” which airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on NBC. It combines espionage, suspense and action, and draws comparisons to shows such as “24” and “Homeland.” Gross plays rookie Secret Service agent Marcus Finely in the series, and said the role is his favorite to date. “This is something I’ve wanted to sink my teeth into for a very long time,” Gross said. “I’ve always been into action and drama and suspense – all that this show is. It was definitely different, but I have an athletic background. “I’m a man’s man, so this is the kind of stuff we like. The transition [from romantic comedy] was a fun one. It had challenges along the way, but I think I tackled them.” “Crisis” centers around a high-profile kidnapping. When students at an elite, private Washington D.C. high school are ambushed and taken hostage from a field trip, the entire nation takes notice. The plot thickens when viewers find out the parents of the kidnapped students are some of the country’s biggest power players,
including the president and first lady. “It’s super exciting for me,” Gross said. “I talked to anyone I could who was a retired secret service agent…that was the fun stuff, training for this role.” In a way, he also relates to the role. “I feel
Lance Gross portrays a Secret Service agent in the series “Crisis.”
like I’m a protector naturally,” he said. Gross, 32, is a native of Oakland. He received a bachelor’s degree in theater from Howard University. He went on to train at the Ivanna Chubbuck Studio and Tasha Smith Acting Studio, where he was discovered by Perry. “I performed a scene from Spike Lee’s ‘Jungle Fever’ and [Perry] was impressed by the performance,” Gross recalled. “We remained in contact as he was searching for a project that would be a perfect fit for me and my talents. ‘House of Payne’ was the job.” Gross won four NAACP Image Awards for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on the show. In 2012, he produced and starred in the independent feature “The Last Fall.” He portrayed an NFL player who finds himself unemployed and struggling to reconnect with his family and high school sweetheart. He also starred in the Perry film “Temptation” and appeared in the remake of Lifetime TV’s “Steel Magnolias,” opposite Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad and Jill Scott. Gross said working with Perry has been “amazing.” “What more needs to be said? I don’t think Tyler Perry has received the credit he deserves, because the man is brilliant. Just sitting working with him in a table read is a show in itself, with him coming up with jokes for rewrites off the top of his head.”
what’sup “DREAMGIRLS” will be presented by the TSU Theater for three shows at the Granville Sawyer Auditorium, 3100 Cleburne. The musical is directed by Cleo House Jr., who was recently appointed chair of TSU’s Department of Visual & Performing Arts. The shows are April 18 and 19 at 8 p.m., and April 20 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at dreamgirlstsu.brownpapertickets.com or at the box office. For information call 713-313-7157……..TSU alum MICHAEL STRAHAN is excited about his part-time cohosting gig on “Good Morning America.” Strahan stressed that he will not be leaving “Live! With Kelly and Michael,” also on ABC. “I don’t think I could do [“Good Morning America”] every day. I have a lot going on. I have to be smart about it,” he said……..SAMUEL L. JACKSON
and ANTHONY MACKIE are two of the stars of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” which debuted No. 1 at the box office. Jackson reprises his role as Nick Fury and Mackie plays Sam Wilson/The Falcon, Marvel Comics’ first African-American superhero…….. OPRAH WINFREY is coming to Houston as part of “Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend,” an eight-city tour featuring Winfrey and a team of special guests. Tickets recently went on sale for her Houston appearance on Oct. 17 and 18 at the Toyota Center. Each tour stop will span two days. On Friday nights, Winfrey will share her personal story and life insights onstage. On Saturdays, she will lead a daylong gathering with handpicked “thought leaders” such as IYANLA VANZANT. Tickets start at $99. For information visit oprah.com/tour……..Drummer SHEILA E. has
released her first CD in 13 years, titled “Icon.” This year marks her 40th anniversary in the music business. She has worked with such artists as MARVIN GAYE, PRINCE, BEYONCÉ, HERBIE HANCOCK, DIANA ROSS and KANYE WEST……..KEENAN IVORY WAYANS will be a celebrity judge on “Last Comic Standing,” which begins a new season May 22 on NBC. WANDA SYKES is a producer of the show, in which 100 top comics in America will vie for 20 spots. The 20 will then compete in a semifinal round, with the top 10 moving into challenge rounds. Wayans is best known for his groundbreaking series “In Living Color,” where he helped launch the careers of JIM CARREY, JAMIE FOXX, JENNIFER LOPEZ and members of his family, including KIM, DAMON, SHAWN and MARLON WAYANS.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 10 | 2014
cover
Schools p students
Moses Evans leads a music class at the KIPP New Orleans Leadership Academy. (Photos courtesy of KIPP)
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Education
Revolution KIPP turns 20 10 1
things to know about KIPP
Charter schools such as KIPP are tuition-free and have open enrollment. They are allowed to operate with more autonomy than traditional public schools in exchange for increased accountability. There are 47 KIPP elementary schools (grades Pre-K-4), 74 middle schools (grades 5-8), and 20 high schools (grades 9-12). Students are accepted regardless of prior academic record, conduct or socioeconomic background. Each school holds a random lottery to determine admission if the number of stu-
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dent applicants is greater than the number of spaces available. Schools are primarily funded through a combination of federal, state and local dollars. Most KIPP schools receive less public funding than traditional district schools. If needed, school leaders and directors will raise philanthropic funds to make up the difference. The majority of schools in the network operate within regions (a local system of schools). Schools in regions are supported by a central office, governed by a common local board, and led by a local
By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
he Knowledge is Power Program – known as KIPP – has reason to cele years KIPP has grown from one loc school program to 141 schools in 20 the District of Columbia. The KIPP network of public charter school serves 50,000 students, 86 percent of which are and 95 percent of which are Black or Hispanic. The results have been impressive. National than 90 percent of KIPP middle school students ated from high school, and more than 80 percen alumni have gone on to college. KIPP was founded in 1994 by two teachers Feinberg and Dave Levin, who launched a local public school program after completing their com to Teach for America. In 1995, the program evolved into two char Feinberg established KIPP Academy Middle Sc Houston and Levin returned home to New York tablish KIPP Academy Middle School in the So In 2000, Feinberg and Levin partnered with Don Fisher, the founders of The Gap, to establis Foundation, which focused on replicating the su original academies on a national scale. In a Q&A with the Defender, Feinberg disc KIPP’s philosophy and success. Defender: What distinguishes KIPP from
executive director. Music, art, sports and dance are some of the programs available in KIPP schools. Most students enter KIPP as fifth-graders performing well below grade level in reading and math. By the time they complete eighth grade at KIPP the majority are at or above grade level. A report card is released containing school information, student demographics and test score data. To view it visit kipp.org/reportcard. For general information visit kipp.org.
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KIPP Delta teacher Lakeda Ward leads a third gr
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schools? Feinberg: We believe there is no secret sauce to creating a successful school. We focus on the key ingredients of any great school, and executing them well. The most important of these ingredients is great teaching and more of it. While new tools are always great to have, we never want to pursue those at the expense of excellent teaching. Mike Feinberg is the co-founder of KIPP. In addition, KIPP is dedicated to preparing our their children. children for success not just on state tests, but also in Finally, we don’t put up walls between school and home. college and the world beyond. So we focus on more than Our first interaction with families happens in their homes, and academics; we also help our students develop the characwe make a real effort to keep connected with students and ter strengths and habits that will set them up for success families both in and out of school. throughout their lives. Defender: How does KIPP deal with the discipline Defender: Why are 8,000 students waiting to get into issues that plague other KIPP? schools across the U.S.? Feinberg: I think we have a Feinberg: We try to long waiting list for a few reasons. defendernetwork.com approach discipline the First, KIPP teachers and staff love Learn more about parents and KIPP same way parents would. their students, and we do our best We encourage students to educate and nurture them every to make good choices, day. That’s a quality that parents seek and respond with positive reinforcement. If students make out in their children’s schools. less positive choices, we have consequences in place and help Second, our extended school calendar – longer days them learn for the next time. We also make sure that our reand years – is actually more helpful for working parents, sponses to student behavior are age-appropriate, and that they since we’re kind of a one-stop shop for both the traditional are really helping students develop positive character strengths school day and after-school programming. that will prepare them for life, including grit and optimism. Third, we focus on preparing kids for success to and Defender: KIPP has established a legacy of a high perthrough college, and in life; the opportunity to earn a colcentage of college-bound students. How do you foster that lege diploma is something that parents inherently want for
rade science and math class in Helena, AR.
he Houston area for over 80 years the Houston area for over 80 years
drive and initiative in students some consider “at-risk?” Feinberg: We believe that the drive is already present inside children, and our job is to help them reach their potential. By holding students to high expectations, building positive relationships with them, and helping them develop character strengths as well as academic skills, we have been able to help students achieve beyond the average. Currently, our students are going to and through college at five times the rate of their socioeconomic peers in Texas, and more than twice the rate of all students in the state. Defender: What measures does KIPP have in place to help students obtain those goals? Feinberg: At KIPP, we believe that “what you measure matters.” We keep track of our students’ academic progress on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis, to determine if we’re meeting students’ needs. We also track if we are serving the students who need us most, and how many are actually staying with us to and through college. In the end, the ultimate measure of success for us is how many of our students leave KIPP with the freedom to do in this world what they choose to do.
School leader, parent offer insight KIPP Liberation College Prep is a middle school located on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tai Ingram is the school leader there, and she is “passionate” about her work. “I love working on a team of highly motivated and dedicated professionals that are focused on pushing and preparing our ‘KIPPsters’ to persist to and through college,” Ingram said. “It is easy to remain passionate Tai Ingram about serving our students when everyone on the team is concentrated on student growth and driving toward the same vision and mission.” Why should a parent consider KIPP? “KIPP is focused on educating the whole child,” Ingram said. “We intentionally work to develop not just academic knowledge and skills, but also the character and social intelligence skills necessary to prepare our students for highly competitive academic environ-
ments and the real world.” Robin Thornton also thinks highly of the program. She is a volunteer at KIPP Liberation, where her son attended middle school. He now attends KIPP Sunnyside High School on Scott Street. “I chose KIPP because I wanted the best education possible for my son, at a school that had small classes, strong academics, and strong discipline, and stressed good moral values and character development,” Thornton said. “I found all of these criteria at KIPP Liberation.” Thornton added that she likes the “Keep moving forward” attitude of the teachers and administration at KIPP Liberation. “I also like the way KIPP celebrates reaching achievements and focusing on team and family,” she said.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 10 | 2014
Human rights ordinance proposed Mayor Annise Parker will present a proposed human rights ordinance to Houston City Council for approval in May. The ordinance will prohibit discrimination in employment, contracting, housing and public amenities throughout Houston. “The Houston I know is accepting, tolerant, diverse, inclusive,” Parker said. “We simply don’t care where you come from, the color of your skin, your age, gender, what physical limitations you may have or who you choose to love. “Yet, Houston is the only major city in the nation without civil rights protections for its residents. It’s time to change that.” The ordinance includes bars, restaurants, retail stores, and businesses that provide services to the public. “A young African-American should not be turned away from a club on Washington Avenue,” said Parker. “A returning veteran with a service dog should not be denied service at a local restaurant.” The city’s Office of Inspector General and a new Human Rights Commission would review all violations.
classified Competitive Bid Notice for Pugh Elementary School Renovations Project: 14-04-03
Houston Independent School District (HISD) The Houston Independent School District will receive bids from contractors for renovations at Pugh Elementary School. The renovations include: restrooms renovations, architectural finishes, electrical, flooring, plumbing, ceilings, millwork, public address and fire alarm systems. Bids are due no later than Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 12:00 Noon at 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Level 1, Houston, TX 77092. Pugh Elementary School is located at 1147 Kress, Houston, TX 77020-7416. The bid package, which includes plans and specifications will be available beginning Monday April 7, 2014, and may be obtained from A&E The Graphics Complex, 4235 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77007, / Phone (713) 621-0022, / Fax (713) 621-2537. Documents are also available from A&E on disk in pdf format or printed for a deposit of $75. Deposit checks should be made payable to HISD. Any questions regarding bid documents are to be addressed to RdlR Architects, Inc., Daniel Ortiz, dortiz@rdlr.com, v. 713-868-3121, f. 713-802-0112.
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VALID 4/9-4/13/2014
The Competitive Bid process will be utilized as authorized in H.B. No. 628, Legislative Session 82(R) -2011. M/WBE forms, schedules and statements, as required in the Project Manual and in accordance with the Office of Business Assistance are due at 2:00 p.m. on the due date at 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Level 1, Houston, TX. Bids will be opened and the amounts read aloud at 2:00 p.m. Bids submitted without M/WBE Forms, properly completed, will be considered non-responsive. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 11, 2014, at 1147 Kress, Houston, TX 77020-7416. For additional information regarding this project, please contact Raymond Hooks, rhooks@houstonisd.org. Drawings and Specifications may be reviewed at the following Houston locations: Associated General Contractors, 3825 Dacoma Street, Houston, TX 77092, (713) 843-3700 HISD Construction Services Office (Bond), 3200 Center Street, Houston, TX 77007, (713) 556-9250 McGraw Hill Construction/Dodge, www.construction.com Virtual Builders Exchange, 3910 Kirby, #131, Houston, TX 77098-4151, (832) 613-0201
SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 4/9-4/13/2014, EXCEPT AS NOTED. OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS, UP TO $100, WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, selected licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food & wine. The new account savings are limited to a total of $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible. 50567_N4030124X.indd 1
4/2/14 2:12 PM
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YWCA names director
INTRODUCING &
in child care center located on the campus Allison of Houston Booker-Brooks Community has been named College executive director Southeast. of the YWCA “It’s an of Houston. She honor to serve brings more than as the executive two decades director,” of nonprofit Booker-Brooks experience to the said. “The organization, and work of this previously served organization is as YWCA chief needed more Allison Booker-Brooks operating officer. now than ever.” “On behalf Booker-Brooks is a Houston of the board of directors, we are native. She received a master’s proud to have Allison Bookerdegree from Our Lady of the Brooks at the helm of the Lake University and bachelor’s YWCA Houston and welcome from Sam Houston State her expertise and passion to University. She is a licensed this organization,” said board social worker and started her president M. Helen Cavazos. career as an investigator with Booker-Brooks will oversee Texas Department of Protective an organization that serves and Regulatory Service. more than 1500 meals a day Her background includes to seniors, homebound and working with the Women’s congregate. The organization Home and the United Way of also operates a residential Greater Houston. She and her program for girls who have aged husband Mathews Brooks have out of foster care and a dropfive children. Defender News Services
APRIL 10 | 2014 | DEFENDER
...OUR NEW ONLINE
BLOGGERS POLITICAL
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Debuting Monday, April 14
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Insightful, Inquisitive, Inspirational, Indignant, Introspective....join us as we take a look into the beliefs and observations of our bloggers as they reflect the thoughts, dreams and perspecitves of the Black community...
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DEFENDER | APRIL 10 | 2014
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sports
Colter strikes blow for college athletes
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By MAX EDISON Defender
n a shot heard around the college athletic world, the Chicago district of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently ruled that Northwestern University’s football players qualify as employees of the university and as a result should have the option to unionize. The case was brought to the NLRB by former Wildcat quarterback Kain Colter and the College Athletes Players Association (CAPA). Colter’s case has the potential to have the same effect on college athletics that Brown vs. the Board of Education (1954) had on public schools. Kain Colter speaks out about college players joining a labor union. Colter, a Denver native and that employees enjoy. recent Northwestern grad, was the “We’re told we can’t promote ourselves,” ColWildcats starter at quarterback the last two seater explained. “Then they [the NCAA] promote us sons. He was also a three-time Academic All-Big and use our names on jerseys and in video games Ten performer. and we’re not seeing any of that [revenue]… It’s The idea to organize his college football time for the players to have a voice. It’s time for brethren was formulated when while taking a us to step up and voice our needs. I feel like we summer school class titled Contemporary Issues in the Modern Workplace. During a discussion about the role of unions Colter’s professor remarked, “I can’t believe college Colter was starting quarterback for athletes don’t Northwestern University. have a union with as much money as you guys bring in.” The rest is history. Colter was joined in his action by CAPA, an organization founded to help college football and basketball players become represented by a labor union. The fundamental question is whether NU football players should be considered employees. If so then they should be compensated and afforded certain rights
should have the right to voice our opinions…” Peter Sung Ohr, a regional director for the NLRB rendered the impactful decision. He ruled the football players are not primarily students, citing the time demands of the sport at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. He spent four singlespaced pages describing the 12-month workload of a Wildcat football player. It is typical of any FBS school, and it should be a must-read for any parent before he or she signs the grant-in-aid. The implications from the ruling immediately conjure ideas of a total reformation of the archaic NCAA rules and a system where athletes might somehow be compensated. The ruling has the attention of not only Northwestern University, but NCAA president Mark Emmert as well. “There are some things that need to get fixed,” Emmert said. “They’re working very aggressively to do that. No one up here believes that the way you fix that is by converting student-athletes into unionized employees. “To be perfectly frank, the notion of using a union employee model to address the challenges that do exist in intercollegiate athletics is something that strikes most people as a grossly inappropriate solution to the problems,” Emmert said. Expect Northwestern to appeal the ruling while the case will continue to be a hot topic. In the meantime, if the NCAA officials are smart they will look for a way to reform their policies. The member schools are reaping billions in profit off the backs of their athletes. Now is the time for the athletes to share in a portion of the wealth. If they can’t figure it out, Kain Colter will be there to lend a hand.
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APRIL 10 | 2014 | DEFENDER
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sportsbriefs
Stewart gets down, dirty in softball
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By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
indsey Stewart takes the grass roots approach to softball. It is both a natural and spontaneous approach that landed her a starting position as a freshman for one of the state’s perennial powerhouses in girls’ high school softball. Currently a sophomore and a two-year starter in centerfield, Stewart is one of the top players for Pearland High School and head coach Laneigh Clark. Stewart says her attachment for the game is really quite simple. “I just like to get dirty, slide and dive and stuff,” she said. “I could probably still run track if I wanted to. But I chose softball because I like it a little bit more.” Stewart began running track when she was 5years old and took up softball soon afterward. It wasn’t long before softball captured her attention full-time and she began playing on select youth softball teams and displaying her talents while at home and on road trips. “Lindsey is very consistent at getting on base and making things happen,” said Clark, who collected her 500th career win last season and guided the Lady Oilers to the school’s second state softball championship in 2010. “She’s one of my fastest kids and leads the team in stolen bases. “Right now she’s batting at about a .520 or .530 clip and she’s real good at putting the ball in play,” Clark said. “She’s a heck of an athlete and a heck of a kid.” Pearland went into a District 22-5A showdown with rival Alvin with a 9-0 district
record. Yet Alvin emerged with a 7-4 victory on Pearland’s home field to tie the Lady Oilers atop the district standings with 9-1 ledgers. Stewart admits there were some plays that should have made in the outfield during the game. “This was not my best game, but it happens to everyone,” she said. Clark understands that a youthful and talented team will sometimes succumb to mistakes. She also knows that underclassmen can have occasional off games. “When you come into a game against Alvin and you’re 9-0, obviously there’s going to be a game when you’re not playing at your best,” Clark said. “You don’t play your best defense and that’s what happened to us. “I have to give Alvin credit because they scored the runs when they got runners on base. They came very well prepared and played a heck of a game,” Clark said. “We had a few errors tonight and those were easy outs that should have been made.” Pearland will close out the regular season with games against Pasadena Memorial (April 11), Manvel (April 15) and Pasadena Dobie (April 18). Clark says her team will work on gaining consistency as the playoffs approach. “Lindsey usually makes plays in the outfield and I expect that to continue as we move ahead even though she’s still just a sophomore,” Clark said. “These are teenagers and things happen like this from time to time. We just have to move on to the next game. “We need to learn from this game because this is what it will be like in the playoffs,” Clark said. “This was a real good challenge for us.”
Lindsey Stewart is one of the top players for Pearland High School.
Rains wins title again Bradley Rains won the first state wrestling championship for Friendswood High School last year with a 19-0 record. This year he went 25-0 and won a state title again in the 170-pound category. Rains, who celebrated his 18th birthday last month, began wrestling when he was 5 years old. He moved to Texas from Oregon where he says wrestling is as big as football. The senior, who also played football in the fall, hasn’t decided whether he’ll continue wrestling on the collegiate level. “I’ve thought about it but I’m not quite sure,” he said. “It really depends on the college and what they’re offering me to wrestle. I just like keeping myself in shape and trying to compete anywhere I can. I love the competitive aspect of the sport.”
Alva two-time champion Cypress Woods High School senior Taylor Alva turned to wrestling as a means to staying in shape following her freshmen volleyball season. She recently collected her second straight gold medal in the Class 5A 128-pound division. “I’m an athletic person and I’ve tried every sport you can think of,” she said. “My favorite thing about wrestling is that it combines every sport together – the strength, the speed and it is so tough. You have to give your all for six minutes.” Alva has compiled an 85-0 record over the past two years. She is one of seven Class 5A girls from the Houston area to bring home a state title this year. “The coaching staffs in the Houston area are really good,” she said.
Astros help restore fields The Astros Foundation and Occidental Petroleum Corporation recently celebrated the opening of two newly revitalized Houston youth baseball fields at Denver Harbor Park. The Astros Community Leaders program is investing $18 million in city-owned public youth baseball and softball fields in disadvantaged areas of Houston over the course of five years. Jumpstarted by Jim Crane, the Community Leaders program is run by the Astros Foundation, the official team charity, and is collaboration with Mayor Annise Parker, the city of Houston Parks and Recreation Department and up to 12 Houston-based corporations. The reconstruction and safety features added to the Denver Harbor fields were paid for through the Community Leaders program and completed at no cost to taxpayers.
Howard receives honors Rockets center Dwight Howard received the March Kia Community Assist Award in recognition of his charitable contributions and efforts in the Greater Houston area, the NBA announced. The award recognizes an NBA player each month who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities. Last month, Howard’s D12 Foundation launched its grassroots program, “Block Out Violence,” within participating junior and senior high schools in Houston to promote antibullying, nonviolence, respect and acceptance. Thirty-two Houston schools have participated in the program, spurring thousands of students and their families to host events in their neighborhoods and post 800,000 positive messages of nonviolence on social media using the #BOV hashtag.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 10 | 2014
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For Event Coverage...visit
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chag’splace
the status of women in all area of life and much more. We NATIONAL WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT…..The salute Sylvia Fitch, chapter president, Jean Jordan, luncheon Missouri City/Houston Metro Chapter of the National chair, Consuela Broussard, Bobbie Moorehead, Rebecca Women of Achievement, Inc. hosted its annual “Profiles Porter, and all committee members. Congratulations!..... of Prominence” luncheon honoring seven individuals who RODNEY ELLIS ROAST & TOAST…..Friends and have made outstanding professional achievements and colleagues of State Sen. Rodney Ellis unique contributions to the Houston decided to roast and toast him in celebration community. The honorees included Join Yvette Chargois of his 60th birthday. Former Ambassador Karen Baker, operations manager Ron Kirk, State Reps. Ana Hernandez, with Federal Qualified Healthcare Events of the Week Senfronia Thompson and Sylvester Turner, Center; Patricia Ann Batteaux, More photos on defendernetwork.com Secretary of State Jack Raines, Milton registered nurse; Teal Holden, See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. Carroll and Steve Mostyn all had a blast healthcare administrator with the roasting and toasting their friend. The event Memorial Hermann Healthcare was held at the Four Seasons Hotel and all System; Deryl Hurd, retired educator; proceeds will go to benefit the Texas Legislative Internship Victoria McClain, retired educator; James Roberson, Program (TLIP). Established in 1990, TLIP is an educational minister and retiree from Exxon Company USA Management and Joyce Tyler Williams, senior vice-president of community internship program sponsored by Ellis and administered by development for the Houston/Galveston Region of Frost Bank. Texas Southern University. The program has provided over 600 undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to The organization provides scholarships, guidance and other serve as interns in the Texas Legislature, state agencies and support to young people in pursuit of the goals; encourages local government. Students receive a minimum of six and a women to excel in their chosen professions; work to improve
Honorees Patricia Batteaux, Deryl Hurd, Teal Holden and Karen Baker
Honoree Senator Rodney Ellis and Brandon Dudley
Honorees Joyce Williams, James Roberson and Victoria McClain
Jack Raines, Sylvia Garcia and Milton Carroll
Law school Dean Dannye Holley, Congresspersons Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green and TSU President John Rudley
Robert Collier and Judge Morris Overstreet
maximum of 15 academic credit hours for participating in the program. A TLIP internship lasts for one academic semester and affords students an opportunity to experience public service firsthand. Attendees included Jarvis Hollingsworth, Anthony Hall, Charles Bush, Gerald Womack, Jodie Jiles, Leonard Spearman Jr., Michelle and Barry Barnes, Melanie Lawson, John Guess Jr. and Fort Bend Constable Ruben Davis, to name a few. Happy birthday Rodney and continued success!.....LAW SCHOOL LUNCHEON……. TSU hosted a celebratory luncheon honoring the Thurgood Marshall School of Law for membership into the prestigious Association of American Law Schools (AALS) and for the law school’s best bar pass performance. The school endured an arduous review which ultimately resulted in recognition of its “historic mission of preparing a diverse group of students for leadership roles in the legal community, business, and government.” Law school Dean Dannye R. Holley welcomed guests and TSU President Dr. John Rudley gave remarks. Guests included Asst. D.A. Belinda Hill, Algenita Davis, Harry Johnson and Judges Al Bennett and Marc Carter… From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!
Consuela Broussard, Bobbie Morehead, Jean Jordan, Rebecca Porter and Sylvia Fitch
Gerald Smith, Alison Leland and Nicole Ellis (Roast & Toast photos by Vicky Pink)
Dr. James Ward and Judge Zinetta Burney
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