On the cover of our last edition, we had an error in our headline on The Eldorado Ballroom. Here is the corrected cover.
Freaknik doesn’t worry us, Kappa Beach party does
Several Generation Xers have been freaking out about the upcoming documentary, “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” from executive producers Jermaine Dupri and Uncle Luke on Hulu. But in this area, we are much more concerned that video evidence of the Kappa Beach Party in Galveston could one day come to light!
Look, us 90s babies like the fact that there was little video evidence of our, I mean their shenanigans down on the Seawall. Yeah, we had those disposable cameras and a few folks had the $1,000, 30-pound camcorders. But for the most part, we/they were able to drop it like it was hot, without worry. But now that they’re digging through the archives for Freaknik videos, it’s just a matter of time before they do the same for the coveted Beach Party. The good news though, many of us/y’all have gained 50+ pounds, so you can tell Junior that is NOT you on the bed of the pickup shaking what your mama gave you. Deny. Deny. Deny!
It’s no secret that Democrats often take the high road in political battles, but the times are a’changing. Exhibit A, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. He has sued Rep. Jim Jordan over what he calls a “transparent campaign to intimidate and attack” him over his indictment of former President Donald Trump. Bragg is asking a judge to invalidate subpoenas that Jordan, the House Judiciary Committee’s Republican chair, has issued or plans to issue as part of
an investigation of Bragg’s handling of the case, the first criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president. Bragg’s lawsuit, a forceful escalation after weeks of sparring with Jordan and other Republican lawmakers in letters and media statements, seeks to end what it says is a “constitutionally destructive fishing expedition” that threatens the sovereignty and integrity of a state-level prosecution. Bragg basically said, “See what you not gon’ do is sully my name….” We’ll be watching this case as it heads to court.
If I may take a moment to shout-out the most amazing team on the planet. You read the DefenderNetwork without fully understanding the hard-working team that works tirelessly to bring you news that educates, informs and entertains. From our talented journalists to our savvy social media team to our dynamic sales and distribution departments, I am proud to work for this organization since I was covering the Kappa Beach Party back in the 90s. (Yes, covering, not attending. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it). Of course, we’re led by our phenomenal publisher, Sonny Messiah Jiles. Normally, I’m using this space to tout an upcoming story or weigh in on a topic. But I need to give them their flowers now!
ON THE WEB
• Deltas converge on Texas State Capitol.
• The ‘Get turnt up on Blackness’ book list.
• Sports Reporter Terrance Harris takes a look at who could be the next head Rockets coach.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said that her ofce would allocate over $4.7 million in American Rescue Plan funds to bring supportive programming to incarcerated women being held in the county’s Women’s Center Jail. Te jail opened in February of this year to hold minimum and medium security women who otherwise would be in the jail. Te women are being held for things like vandalism, trespassing, disorderly conduct, drug possession, non-aggravated thef, failure to appear in court, etc.
Approved by Commissioners Court last week, the funding aims to provide mental health support, trauma counseling, education and vocational training, substance abuse support, and other services.
“Tis initiative will help incarcerated women, re-enter society successfully. Tat will reduce recidivism, reduce crime, and cut the cycle of incarceration. It will not only help the women, but it will help the entire community because of course, all of those social family ties that women have,” Hidalgo said. “Data backs up these initiatives. A wide body of evidence shows that trauma-informed mental health services, which is what we’re going to be providing there has also been shown to lower the risk of reofending.”
Te money will support mental health services, trauma counseling, vocational and educational training, and substance abuse counseling, among other services. Te money for these expanded programs will draw upon American Rescue Plan Act resources distributed to Harris County by the federal government.
“Of the $4.7 million, the majority of the funding is going to go to program staf, to grants for providers in the service and program evaluation. We want to make sure that this works in case we have the opportunity to continue or expand upon the American Rescue Plan funding,” Hidalgo said. “If we really want to reduce recidivism, we have to tackle programs that rehabilitate instead of only punish. And these are the kinds of programs that do that.”
86% EXPERIENCED SEXUAL VIOLENCE
BY THE NUMBERS WOMEN IN U.S. JAILS77% EXPERIENCED PARTNER VIOLENCE
60% EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER VIOLENCE
For seven years, Lydell Grant, 46, was behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. After being freed in 2021 – and awarded $675,000 by the state – Grant returned to his normal life. But now, he is back behind bars, this time for a crime authorities say he did commit.
Grant has been charged with killing Edwin Arevalo, 33, following a minor trafc collision, Houston police said. Police said Grant got out of his vehicle, shot Arevalo and then fed.
Grant was taken into custody a few days later afer a warrant was issued for his arrest, police said. He was jailed on $1 million bond.
Grant made national headlines in 2021 afer he was exonerated for a murder he was sentenced to life for. He was convicted of fatally stabbing 28-year-old Aaron Scheerhoorn at a Montrose bar in 2010. He spent seven years behind bars before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals declared his innocence in 2021 afer a new analysis of DNA found on the victim’s fngernails pointed to Grant’s innocence. Police arrested Jermarico
Carter for Scheerhoorn’s killing. Carter, who was tracked down in Atlanta, confessed to the killing. He pleaded guilty to murder in 2022 and was sent to prison.
According to the National Registry of Exonerations, Grant is owed $673,333 for the wrongful conviction. Grant will continue getting paid while his new murder charge plays out in court.
Cassandra Jeu with the Texas Innocence Network at the University of Houston Law Center says Texas makes annual payments, so Grant has yet to receive all of it. Jeu says he will keep getting paid for the wrongful conviction while the recent case plays out in court unless there is a conviction through a plea bargain or trial.
“Texas is the most generous state when it comes to a compensation statute of the entire United States,” Jeu said. “It provides $80,000 for every year the person has been in prison and $25,000 a year for every year the person has been on probation, parole, or sex registry.”
If Grant is convicted, Jeu says the statute does not require him to pay the money back he already received.
The reinstatement of Tennessee Democratic State Rep. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson proved a victory for democracy afer Republicans callously used their supermajority power to expel the members.
But the win doesn’t overshadow the GOP’s unscrupulous and continued power grab in a state where the Ku Klux Klan frst formed in 1866. Te Nashville Metropolitan Council, which unanimously voted to re-seat Jones, continues to face an assault from state Republicans.
This week, a panel of judges ruled that Republican lawmakers cannot cut in half the 40 seats on the primarily Democrat body. Te GOP’s attempt appears to be a retaliation for the Council’s refusal to allow Nashville to host the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Despite the combined city-county government system of 40 council members being in efect for roughly 60 years, the GOP wants Nashville to create new council districts, which many say would usurp the power of Black leaders.
“Tere is a compelling public interest in
preserving the integrity of the Metro election process that is already underway,” three state court justices wrote, rebufng the GOP’s attempt to wrest control.
Te expulsion of the two Democrats, who vociferously called on their colleagues to act on gun control afer the latest school shooting in Nashville claimed the lives of three elementary school students and three adults, came amid the continued GOP power grab.
Across the country and in Tennessee, the backlash has been palpable, and even some Republicans have expressed regret for the actions of party members and Sexton, who led the vote to oust Jones and Pearson.
“If my job, along with other members of the RNC, is to protect the brand of the Republican Party, this didn’t help,” Oscar Brock, a Republican National Committeeman from Tennessee, told the New York Times.
“You’ve energized young voters against us. Worse than squandering support, you’ve made enemies where we didn’t need them.”
Black residents have rallied throughout Tennessee to call attention to the discriminatory politics occurring in the state.
Associated Press
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is moving fast to pardon a U.S. Army sergeant convicted in the 2020 killing of an armed protester. So fast, the judge hasn’t even handed down a sentence.
Sgt. Daniel Perry faces up to life in prison afer being convicted of murder last week in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Garrett Foster, who had been legally carrying an AK-47 during a protest through Austin’s downtown while marching with demonstrators over police accountability and racial injustice. The case will next go to sentencing.
But Abbott has since made it clear he believes Perry shouldn’t be punished. Te three-term Republican governor, who hasn’t ruled out a 2024 presidential run, tweeted that he has already asked Texas’ parole board to expedite a review of Perry’s conviction and will “look forward” to signing a pardon.
Te rush to act in the case of an of-duty soldier shooting a protester came amid immediate outrage among conservatives over the verdict, including by Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Abbott presented the dangled pardon as a defense of Texan’s right to defend themselves. Legal experts, however, said that looks like a pretense.
“It’s pretty unusual for a governor to step in and preempt a jury verdict,” said Mark Osler, a professor at the University of St. Tomas School of Law. “Te politics are right there at the surface.”
Perry was working for a ride-sharing company in July 2020 when he turned onto a street and into one of the demonstrations that swept the country afer Minneapolis police killed George Floyd.
In video streamed live on Facebook, a car can be heard honking amid the crowd in downtown Austin. Ten, several shots ring out, and protesters begin screaming and scattering. Perry drove of, later calling police to report the shooting, and ofcers arrived to fnd Foster shot. Witnesses testifed that Foster never raised his rife at Perry, and prosecutors said the
sergeant could have driven of rather than opening fre with a handgun. Perry didn’t testify. But his defense attorneys have said Foster pointed his gun at the driver and that the shooting was self-defense. Travis County District Attorney José Garza, whose ofce prosecuted the case, called Abbott’s intervention “deeply troubling.” He said the jurors deliberated for more than 15 hours to fnd Perry “guilty of murder beyond a reasonable doubt,” and the case can be reviewed through the normal appeals process.
VOLUME 92, NUMBER 22 - APRIL 13, 2023
Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Digital Content Manager Get Current Studios
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
The
Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Photographer Jimmie Aggison
Social Media Manager Tia Alphonse Jordan Hockett
Te city’s water infrastructure issues has been ignored for years as the city undercharged for water, according to city ofcials. As a result, necessary replacement and repairs have continued to add up. Tat’s why Houston Public Works announced that water rates would increase by 15%. In part, the increase accounts for infation, which has almost doubled since last year’s water rates were determined. However, ofcials say the increase is largely because rates have been too low over the past few years to make necessary improvements. Te department announced a 9.2% increase, comprising an infationary index of 8.2% and a 1% increase in correspondence with a 1% population increase. Tis is in addition to an increase of around 6% to address water infrastructure problems in the city. Te increase, which goes into efect this month, will go toward measures like replacing old pipes, putting in new wells, and improving water and wastewater treatment plants.
Many prospective homebuyers can aford monthly mortgage payments, but the upfront costs may make homeownership seem out of reach. In fact, more than two-thirds of renters surveyed by the Urban Institute indicated that afording the down payment was a barrier to becoming a homeowner. While Bank of America already ofers closing cost grants locally, the bank is now bringing its Down Payment Grant to Houston as of March 2023. When the two grant programs are used together, eligible Houston homebuyers may have access to up to $17,500 in grants to put toward down payment and closing costs, which do not need to be repaid. Tis grant program is part of the Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment®, which is designed to help lowto moderate-income homebuyers begin to build their personal wealth and family legacy through homeownership. In celebration of Houston Money Week (April 15-22), Bank of America,
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County is conducting a call for projects regarding the 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grant program.
This program provides federal funding for the purpose of assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs.
in partnership with Family Houston, will host its next homebuyer workshop at 11am on April 15 at Depelchin Children’s Center.
Houston hopes to fll at least 200 lifeguard positions
Afer closing multiple pools due to a lifeguard shortage last summer, Houston’s Parks and Recreation Department said they are more prepared this year with the 2023 swimming season coming up. Currently, the city has over 950 lifeguard recruits, nearly triple last year’s 345 recruits. Although the city has not ofcially hired any lifeguards yet, ofcials say they need to hire at least 200 to open up all of its aquatic facilities. Tomas Angelos with the Parks and Recs department said things are much better this year because schools are allowing them to recruit on campus. He added that this time last year, the city only had 25 people complete its classroom training. As of the end of last week, 44 have. Tey still need 156 candidates. Last season, pools were opened on an alternating basis on alternating days. Te Parks and Recs department currently oversees 38 aquatic facilities, and according to its website, 24 are currently closed.
Boys’ Empowerment and Leadership Summit, April 22
Spring ISD’s Family and Community Engagement Department is hosting its annual Boys’ Empowerment and Leadership Youth Summit on Saturday, April 22. Te Boys’ Empowerment and Leadership Summit will address social, emotional and academic needs. Te summit will feature conversations about self-esteem, friendship, and relationships, as well as college and career advice and etiquette. Tere will also be entertainment, giveaways, food, and more.
Te event is free for all Spring ISD middle and high school students, though registration is required. Te event will occur at Dekaney High School (22351 Imperial Valley Drive, 77073) on Saturday, April 22, from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interested students can register online or call 281-891-6060 with questions.
The 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grant program aims to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation services and expanding transportation mobility options. This program supports transportation services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities in all areas. Eligible projects include both "traditional" capital investment and "nontraditional" investment beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services.
Project proposals are due to METRO by April 24, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. (CST), via electronic submittal to: GrantApplications@RideMETRO.org
Late submittals will not be accepted.
On Monday, April 10, 2023, a pre-application workshop presentation, application package, worksheets and related documents will be posted at RideMETRO.org/Pages/GrantPrograms.aspx
For more information about these programs or questions regarding the application and budget process, please email your questions to GrantApplications@RideMETRO.org or call Albert Lyne, METRO Deputy Chief Strategy Officer at 713-739-4697
Questions submitted by April 14, 2023, will be posted by April 18, 2023. Visit RideMETRO.org/Pages/GrantPrograms.aspx for updates.
A key milestone in the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Houston ISD takeover process came to an end. Te agency concluded its application process for the school district’s new board of managers and hundreds of Houstonians have applied to serve.
Tis is the frst step of the process for TEA to replace HISD current superintendent Millard House II and the nine elected school board trustees by June 1, according to the agency.
“I am looking for Houstonians with wisdom and integrity who can be laser-focused on what is best for students,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath in an ofcial statement. “It is exciting to see so many Houstonians express a willingness to help move the school system forward in service of students.”
Many have been critical of the agency’s lack of transparency and empathy toward community concerns over the process. Last month, TEA hosted a series of community forums that were highly attended but the presentations were anything but satisfactory.
“I have concerns about the transparency and meaningfulness of this process. I’m very convinced that the commissioner already has his pick when it comes to the appointments of the board of managers,” Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers. “Te people need answers.”
TEA said they’re looking for a wide array of backgrounds, experience and perspectives to help students achieve at high levels.
By Laura Onyeneho
Te fre alarm rings just afer 10 a.m., and hundreds of Worthing High School students walk out of their school building and onto the streets in solidarity against the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) decision to take over Houston ISD on April 6.
TEA states that board of managers candidates now move to the next phase of preliminary applicant screening. Te entire process will include detailed applicant reviews, community reference and background checks, training and interviews.
The agency will open an additional application window to allow more people in the community to consider serving during the applicant screening phase, an idea that Anderson is very skeptical about.
“If you’re going to select from round one applicants, why would they want to leave it open after stressing the deadline for applications to be turned in in the frst place?” she said. “The commissioner is the only person who can answer the questions we have and he hasn’t met with the people who are going to be the most afected, and that is the employees of HISD.”
Te demonstrations were planned to coincide with the TEA’s deadline day to apply to serve on the board of managers.
Community members distributed petition fyers, waved signs and updated others about the takeover.
TEA hosted four public forums a few weeks ago to share information about the takeover process. Te forums lef many unanswered questions on the table and increased the community’s distrust of TEA due to what parents and community members are deeming a lack of clarity from the state.
Students chanted, “Save Our School” and “TEA, go Away” as they came out in droves, excited to fght for a cause.
“Our voices matter too,” said one student who chose not to be named. “Has the TEA asked us how we felt?”
Micah Gabay is a Worthing High School student actively engaged during city-wide community rallies and forums. She told the Defender that one of her concerns is regarding conversations around school vouchers and how they will impact lower-income students in the school district.
“Most kids who go to public schools can’t aford a private school,” said Gabay. “So, they basically are trying to take us over and push us out of the public school and into the private schools, and we can’t aford that.”
Gabay hopes the TEA prioritizes visits to the schools and listens to the students and educators whom the decisions of the new board of managers will ultimately impact.
“[TEA] doesn’t really come into the schools and fnd out anything about the schools,” she said. “All they do is they see what happened before, and they just think, ‘Oh no, that school is bad; we need to change that completely.’”
Parents and students from more than 30 HISD elementary, middle and high schools participated in the day of action protest led by Houston non-proft Community Voices for Public Education. Elementary school protests began around 7:15 a.m., Middle school and high school protests started around 8:15 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., respectively.
I have concerns about transparency and meaningfulness of this process. I’m convinced that the commissioner already has his pick when it comes to the appointments of the board of managers."
Jackie Anderson President, Houston Federation of Teachers
In addition to the Texas Education Agen-
cy’s takeover, the Houston Independent School District faces a potential loss of funding because of GOP-backed schoolchoice legislation that is moving ahead in the 88th Texas Legislative session.
The Senate Education Committee recently approved Senate Bill 8[MOU1] , which would allow parents to set up an Education Savings Account (ESA) in which all eligible students are granted $8,000 for use on approved school materials and private tuition. Under the bill, originally proposed by Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, students would be deemed eligible if they previously attended public school or are enrolling in preschool or kindergarten for the first time. Supporters say funds would originate from tax-credited donations, public funds, general revenue and grants. In a nod to rural districts, which have long seen school choice as financially devastating, school districts with fewer than 20,000 students would be granted funds for students who take advantage of out-of-district programs.
The GOP has no such concerns for urban districts like HISD, the largest school district in Texas and composed of 276 different campuses and 194,000 students. Public schools are expected to lose money if parents opt for school choice.
Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, said the Legislature should have different educational priorities.
“Focus on fully funding our public schools, giving our teachers and retirees a much-needed pay raise,” Reynolds, the chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, said. Texas public schools have consistently fallen behind in per-pupil funds when compared to the rest of the country. The country’s average is $16,993; Texas spends $9,871. Texas per-pupil funds have remained about the same over the last decade.
“This would be the public demise of the Houston and inner-city urban schools,’’ said Reynolds. “This is going to have long-term
negative impacts on our students.”
Reynolds added that the TEA takeover “will only worsen the situation.” The TEA will be removing the superintendent and elected school board after Wheatley High School failed to meet statewide standards for seven consecutive years, triggering the agency’s takeover attempts since 2019.
School choice would allow parents and their children to access public school alternatives through various state-funded programs. The majority of school choice programs, such as school vouchers and education savings accounts, transfer public funds from local schools to individual families, normally the average amount it costs to educate the child per year. There are already smaller school choice opportunities in effect, magnet schools, intradistrict transfer programs, and charter schools. Thus, school districts like HISD could potentially lose considerable funding.
“Our public schools have to take everybody,” said Reynolds. Private schools, on the other hand, don’t. “They wouldn’t have to take students with disabilities,” he said. “They can pick and choose who they want to take.”
Opponents of the ESA legislature brought up Arizona’s school-choice program as a warning for how the state could end up funding students already in private schools rather than those choosing to leave public schools. In July 2022, Arizona expanded its school voucher system, allowing the majority of students to qualify for use of vouchers for enrollment in private schools. While advocates for school vouchers claimed that the program would allow for disadvantaged students to attend private schools and parents to place their children into schools that fit their children best, nearly 75% of students who participate in Arizona’s voucher system have never
attended public schools, meaning the state was now funding private education previously paid for by parents.
“It would subsidize the rich and the upper class,” Reynolds said. “It would subsidize their ability to send their kids to the schools they were already sending them to.”
As funds are siphoned from public schools, opponents of school choice say the students who are most affected are Black and Brown students, the majority population at HISD schools.
A large issue within school choice is that disadvantaged families would not be able to make up the difference between the ESA and the actual dollar amount that attending a private school constitutes.
“There are private school opportunities that fit within the dollar amount of our ESA,” Sen. Creighton said. “But there are also many scholarship efforts, private philanthropy, and all kinds of different opportunities to fill that gap.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick emphasized school choice legislation in both this term’s inauguration speech on Jan. 17 and later in his top 30 Senate bill priorities for the 2023 session,
TEXAS PARENTAL EMPOWERMENT ACT (Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston)
Allows families to draw from state funds to send their children to private schools.
SENATE BILL 176
Parents would get up to $10,000, the average amount of money that it costs a public school to educate one child, for withdrawing their child from public school and sending them to private, or alternative, schooling. Funds would be derived similarly to SB 8.
HOUSE BILL 619 (Rep. Matt Shaheen)
Discusses tax credits for donations to scholarship programs.
At the end of the day what all these bills do is leave it to parents. I believe the best decision maker for a child is letting the moms and dads of Texas pick which educational options are best for their child.”
- Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston
placing school choice at No. 8 and teacher raises at No. 9.
“Parents deserve the freedom to choose the education that’s best for their child,” Patrick said.
Republicans say school choice would allow parents to bypass schools whose values don’t align with their own or seem inferior to private and alternative schooling. Under expanded school choice, these private schools would essentially gain access to state funding.
Sen. Larry Taylor, the former Friendswood senator who attempted to advance school choice in 2017, testified during the committee meeting that the majority of students who switched from public schools to school-choice initiatives either improved in test scores or stayed the same.
Dr. Catherine Horn, the Interim Dean of Education for the University of Houston, is not as positive about the results.
“The argument for school choice, at least based on research, doesn’t hinge strongly on its connection to improving academic outcomes,” Dr. Horn said. “At the very best, school choice options often only have a modest positive influence on student outcomes, and that is not for all students.”
Taylor’s bill in 2017 passed in the Senate but was stopped in the House because of opposition from Democrats and rural Republicans. Few rural counties would benefit from a school choice bill, leaving these counties with students opting out of public schools for publicly funded online learning. School choice was so opposed at the time that the House passed a state budget amendment banning the use of state funds for private school choice, crossing out the possibility for a formal voucher system to be instituted until the current session.
“When folks make choices to leave the district, it can have really challenging implications for how the district can fully support students who are choosing to stay,” Dr. Horn said. “We need to be sure we are looking at the whole story. What is ultimately good for the individual kid and what works good for the system.”
As this is National Alcohol Awareness Month, it’s an opportune time to address what many consider to be one of America’s major health concerns: alcohol abuse and dependence.
Alcohol abuse is generally lower among African Americans as compared to our European American counterparts however, according to a study by the American Psychological Association, African Americans suffer more negative alcohol-related consequences, including more injuries, illnesses, and negative social consequences than other racial and cultural demographics.
It’s possible African Americans may experience heightened effects of alcohol. This means that when drinking the same amount as someone of a different ethnicity, African Americans may become
FROM THE DOC “Alcohol abuse can result in adverse health consequences.”
Dr. Gaines is a board-certified Family Medicine physician.
intoxicated faster and experience negative side effects more quickly.
Alcohol abuse can result in adverse health consequences including liver disease, various cancers, and cardiovascular issues, so please be aware of the warning signs.
Alcohol-related warning signs:
• Experiencing nervousness (“jitters”) until the next drink.
• Declining job performance.
• Lying to friends and family about consumption.
• Impaired driving.
• Unsafe sexual encounters.
• Having more than 4 drinks per day for men.
• Having more than 3 drinks per day for women.
Many people with an alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem. An intervention from a loved one can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help.
If concerned about your drinking habits or those of someone you care about, please see, or have your loved one see, an Adult Medicine practitioner for a physical checkup and start a dialogue about making healthier lifestyle choices.
For immediate information, visit www.cdc.gov/alcohol.
Dr. Gaines cares for patients at Kelsey-Seybold’s Gulfgate Clinic in Gulfgate Center Mall
, and many more.
We have 35 convenient locations close to home and work –and still growing!
Recently, the Ensemble Theatre announced the addition of three new board members to join the long line of community change agents who have helped guide the iconic Houston institution to the greatness that it has achieved and continues to display.
The new board members are Melanie Lawson, Micheal Helm and Dr. Dorie Gilbert.
MELANIE LAWSON is best known for her service as a television news anchor on ABC Channel 13 in Houston, TX. She is an extremely accomplished and well-known member of the Houston community; serving on multiple boards, including SHAPE Community Center, The Houston Ballet, the Rothko Chapel, Asia Society, Houston, and the Houston Museum of African American Culture. Lawson is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Houston chapter of the Links Incorporated, and the Houston Association of Black Journalists. She is a proud member of the legendary Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, founded by her parents, William and Audrey Lawson.
MICHEAL J. HELM has served as the Chief Customer & Strategy Officer for Martin Foods. Mr. Helm has established himself as a leader in the business world, best known for developing talent, managing large-scale projects and creating an environment of growth and profit.
Mr. Helm formerly served as Board President for The Ensemble Theatre, he has served on several boards including Center For Houston’s Future, Children at Risk, DaCamera and The Salvation Army
DORIE J. GILBERT, Ph.D. is the Dean of the Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences at Prairie View
A&M University. Before joining PVAMU in 2019, she spent 20 years as a professor and director of international programs at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin, where she now holds an emerita faculty position. Dr. Gilbert serves on the national board of the Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences and is the founder of the Council of Historically Black Colleges of Arts & Sciences. Gilbert is an accomplished educator and administrative leader who has cultivated a career of service and academic excellence, evidenced by the student communities that she serves.
The Ensemble Theatre has a history and a legacy of being one of the leading cultural institutions in the City of Houston. Founded in 1976 by the late George W. Hawkins, The Ensemble Theatre is a professional theatre dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience, the oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, and holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house.
The Ensemble Theatre’s growth and success contributes to the quality of its Board of Directors and their collective dedication to ensuring that The Ensemble Theatre remains a valuable part of not only African American, but American history for generations to come.
“I have been a longtime supporter of the Ensemble because everything they do is topnotch quality,” said Cynthia Neilsen. “From their award-winning productions to their special events and the luminaries they bring on as board members, the Ensemble is class personified.”
Recently, 50-plus members of the Mu Mu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., cleaned a large section of the historic Oak Park Cemetery located on 8400 Hirsch Road. Te cemetery is currently in dire need of maintenance. Chapter member Don Holloway said his organization was looking for a community project and contacted the Oak Park Cemetery Association, a group of descendants who have family members buried in the cemetery.
Te before and afer photos of the cemetery reveal the Omegas made an incredibly signifcant impact in the burial ground’s appearance.
“We are so pleased about the hard work the Omegas put in,” said Debra Blacklock-Sloan, an Oak Park Cemetery Association board member. “And they were very interested in the cemetery’s history.”
Teams were led by Holloway, Chazz Newman and Alton C. Guidry, basileus (president) of the organization. Cemetery preservation veterans Lloyd Prince and Charles Cook of Olivewood Cemetery were also on hand to assist the chapter.
Oak Park Cemetery was established in 1930 exclusively for “Negro Houstonians” by the Oak Park Cemetery Association and the American Trust Company, two white organizations. One reason for establishing the burial ground was to undermine the conditions of existing Black cemeteries and drive trafc to Oak Park. Another was to maintain the segregated system of burials.
Te original burial ground consisted of 40 acres. Oak Park Cemetery Association later sold several plots to a Black minister’s alliance. In 1932, 27 acres in the cemetery’s eastern section were designated as Golden Gate Cemetery.
Oak Park is the oldest-known cemetery in Houston’s Trinity Gardens area. Many well-known educators, ministers, businessmen and veterans are interred there.
“For decades African-American cemeteries have endured blatant disrespect due to commercial construction, encroachment, street paving, illegal disinterment and vandalism. African-American cemeteries are signifcant sacred places with a unique, cultural heritage and history. It is especially important to preserve, protect, maintain, and
identify them,” Blacklock-Sloan shared.
“As more and more African Americans delve into learning their own history it is imperative that the fnal resting places of their early ancestors remain intact,” added Tanya Debose, another Oak Park Cemetery Association board member.
“Tis issue of erasure is so prevalent across America that national alliances have formed to help support people across America to reclaim, recover and restore African American burial sites.”
The Oak Park Cemetery Association is looking for descendants to assist them with maintenance, documenting and preserving the cemetery. Tey are also challenging other members of the “Divine Nine” to volunteer, as well. Visit https://www.facebook.com/oakparkcemetery.
See members at work.
For the past 15 years, the women of the Sugar Land Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated have worked to serve children and the community. Tey recently hosted their biennial Foundation black tie gala and fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency Houston West to beneft Child Advocates.
“We selected Child Advocates of Fort Bend County to be the benefactor of our philanthropic eforts because of the important work that they do with foster children by providing comprehensive services for children who are victims of abuse or neglect,” said Sugar Land Chapter President Kelley Austin. “Te Jack and Jill Foundation invests in services, programs, and organizations that focus on impacting the underlying issues afecting African American children and families. Since African American children are ofen disproportionately represented in the foster care system, donating the proceeds from our event to both Child Advocates of Fort Bend County and the Jack and
Jill Foundation was a perfect match for our chapter.”
Tis sold-out afair was also a celebration of the group’s ffeen years as a chapter. Te theme of the event was “A Night in Paris/L’Art de la Comedie.” Sugar Land Chapter Historian Carla Ferrell, Program Director of the popular “Steve Harvey Morning Show” was the co-host for the evening’s festivities along with Comedian Daniel Dugar. Tey kept the evening fowing, as well as served as auctioneers for the live art auction. Comedians Gerard Guillory and Mario Hodge provided comedic entertainment that kept the guests laughing.
In addition to the live art auction, there was a silent auction of sports memorabilia, luxury vacations, Karen Scott jewelry, and many more sought-after items. Attendees included the Sugar Land Chapter members and their guests, as well as state and local ofcials and leaders. Also, in attendance to support the chapter were Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated past and present Local, Regional and National leaders.
Texas Southern junior right-hander Abraham Deleon was named SWAC Pitcher of the Week after striking out 10 and allowing just two hits in seven innings during the Tigers 8-4 win over Prairie View.
The Texas Southern cheer team made history by winning the national title during the National Cheerleader Association (NCA) College
National Championship. It is the first time an HBCU has won the national championship. “When I first came to TSU, I told the team we’re going to Nationals,” said head coach Shontrese Comeaux. “When we earned our gold bid at NCA Camp, I told the team, ‘It’s time to go to work’. I knew this was the year and the team to get the job done. I’m so proud of them and where we’re going to take the cheer program next.”
Astros shortstop Jeremy
Pena taken off leadoff
Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena has been shifted from leadoff batter to the No.6 spot in the batting order after struggling at the plate during the early going.
Pena had 10 strikeouts and only three extra base hits in 35 at bats during the Astros first eight games. Chas McCormick was moved to leadoff this past weekend against Minnesota. The move is likely temporary to take some of the pressure off the 25-year-old player.
The Texas Southern women’s mile relay team of Lillie Burnett, Tardranique London, Bayli George and Shelby Brooks won the Pelican Relays at Southern University with a time of 3:47.59. In total, the Tigers had 15 top 10 finishes during the meet.
PVAMU softball pitcher Jerrica Rojas threw a no-hitter while striking out five batters to lead the Lady Panthers to an 11-1 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
It’s another disappointing season for the Rockets, and it’s another offseason of difficult decisions ahead as the Rockets deal with the reality of a third straight non-playoff campaign and an NBA Lottery selection.
The heavy lifting began a day after the season ended for the Rockets when head coach Stephen Silas was let go after three seasons in which the team never won more than 22 games and was a collective 59-117 in that span.
But that is just the start of some difficult decisions the Rockets will have to make this offseason as they attempt to get a talented young core of players moving in the right direction. There is little question the Rockets have assembled the best young talent of any NBA team, headlined by Lottery picks Jalen Green and Jabari Smith, along with former first rounders Alperen Sengun, Kevin Porter, Jr. and Tari Eason.
The complication is they are all young, with Porter being the oldest as a third-year NBA player. The Rockets, who finished 22-60 this season, are tied with the Spurs for the second worst record in the league, ahead of only the Pistons.
Fittingly, all three have 14% odds of winning next month’s NBA Lottery, where the prize will be getting to select Frenchman Victor Wembanyama with the No.1 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft.
After that, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone and whoever is hired as the Rockets new coach have plenty of big decisions to make with roughly $60 million is salary cap for free agency shopping.
Here are some of the big questions the Rockets must answer this season.
Who will be the next head coach?
There are several intriguing names that are floating around, but abruptly fired Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka makes the most sense. Udoka, a disciple of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, guided the Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals in his one and only season as their head coach. Udoka found himself in trouble with the team last offseason due to an inappropriate relationship with a co-worker, and after an odd suspension, he was finally fired. But
after the job he did with an underachieving Celtics team, he is the ideal replacement for Silas. The Rockets will likely have competition from Detroit for Udoka’s services, so they must act quickly. Other interesting coaching names that keep coming up for the Rockets job are former Lakers, Magic and Pacers coach Frank Vogel and Golden State assistant coach Kenny Atkinson.
Do the Rockets have the right mix of players?
There is no question the Rockets have a talented young core of players and adding Wembanyama or any of the potential top three picks and another late first-round pick will make the team even more talented. But will it translate to winning? We’ve watched Green and Porter form an explosive backcourt, but they seem to lack continuity as a unit. Defensively, the duo has not been impressive. Perhaps it’s time to consider if keeping the young core together is best for winning. The Rockets could consider trading one of the young players and maybe the late first-round pick they got from the Los Angeles Clippers for some quality veterans who can blend in and teach the young Rockets how to prepare and play winning basketball.
Who are some of the veteran free agents the Rockets can consider?
The Rockets will have about $60 million in salary cap space to lure potential free agents
come July. The name that you will hear the loudest is the potential return of explosive shooting guard James Harden. The rumor has made its rounds that Harden desires to come back to Houston where he blossomed into an NBA star player. Harden, of course, forced his way out of town in 2020 to begin the current downward spiral the Rockets are in. Harden was initially traded to Brooklyn before forcing a trade to Philadelphia where he has been reunited with former Rockets GM Daryl Morey. Aside from Harden, other free agents who will be available this summer include small forward Khris Middleton, point guard De’Angelo Russell, power forward Draymond Green and point guard Kyrie Irving.
Should the front office be safe?
That is the million-dollar question. Much of the blame for the Rockets’ dismal last three seasons has fallen on Silas. While Silas deserves some of the blame, he wasn’t alone. Stone and Silas essentially started together and it has been Stone’s responsibility to stock the team with talent to win and grow during this rebuild. Sure, the young players who have been drafted the last two seasons are talented but there has been a huge void in the veteran depth needed. It was Stone’s decision to trade veteran post Christian Wood and to shut down veteran point guard John Wall to give Green and Porter a chance to grow together. Stone wanted a slow rebuild and that is what he has gotten.
At the end of every season, Phillis Wheatley’s head softball coach Paul Richard highlights the best offensive player by granting her the award of batting champion. This year, the race seems to be split between Alysha “Big Country” Johnson and Jennifer Peña, both of whom are on a path of domination.
“Batting champion is based on their stats, the most hits and runs scored,” said Richard.
Johnson’s junior season ended with her walking away with both the batting champion and golden glove award. This year she plans to repeat.
“I’m trying to, for real. I’ve been killing it,” said John son. “When I’m up to bat, I just focus and concen trate on hitting the ball.”
Johnson, who also serves as Mrs. Wheatley, began playing softball her sophomore year after receiving advice from her best friend.
“My best friend India Andrews encouraged me to play because she said I had a good arm. I originally started in the outfield because the team had a lot of seniors in the infield. But once they graduated I moved to first base,” said Johnson.
When asked about this year’s competition Richard said, “Johnson is in the hunt, but she’s competing with another senior.”
The other senior he is referring to is Peña. Peña began play ing softball her junior year. She had ambitions to play before but wasn’t given the opportunity due to COVID-19 and family dynamics.
“We had a lot of struggles growing up, so I didn’t have time to play,” said Peña.
As a kid, when Peña did play, she lived by a park but it didn’t offer softball. This forced her to play baseball before ever knowing what softball consisted of. She credits this early experience for being able to better track the ball while in the batter’s box.
“I was used to seeing the ball come faster, but in softball, the ball comes slower, so it’s easier for me to hit the ball,” said Peña.
Both Johnson and Peña have accomplished a lot this season. Johnson has 34 at-bats, 11 singles and two doubles, which equates to a .382 batting avergage. Peña has 35 at-bats with 14 singles, three doubles and two triples (.542 batting average).
After graduating, both players plan to attend HCC for their basics and then transfer to other universities. Johnson plans to study psychology, while Peña plans to study business and marketing.
“They’re trying to out-hit each other and that’s a positive thing for our team,” said Richard.
Class: 2023
IG: @HTX_Jenny.4
Position: Shortstop
Height & weight: 5-feet-4, 115 pounds
Hobbies: Arts and crafts, volleyball
Status: Houston Community College
Favorite artists: JID, Alicia Keys
Favorite subject: History
Shout-outs: Family
COUNTRY” JOHNSON
Class: 2023
@a.lyshaaaa_
Position: First base
Height & weight: 5-feet-6, 222 pounds
Player she studies: Mia Davidson (Mississippi State alum)
Status: Houston Community College
Favorite artist: Zydeco
Favorite subject: Economics
Shout-outs: Dad, India Andrews
Forrest Gump’s got nothing on Reverend Jacqueline Giles, math professor extraordi naire. Gump, whose entire fctional life was just one crazy story afer another of his for tuitous meetings with some of the world’s most famous people, could very well have been based on the life and times of Giles. From U.S. presidents to African lead ers to NFL players, legendary authors and more—greats both near and far have been part of Giles legendary life. Don’t believe me? Check out Giles own words.
[My mother] would tell me how she was part of the frst calculus class at Jack Yates High School. Tere were only three or four in the class. I remember two names that she would mention: Robert Terry; pres ident of TSU and Bernice Reed, the sister of the great mathematician, Dr. Kenard Reed, who graduated with a Ph.D. in mathematics at 24 years old. He was in a program that took him out of high school at 14 years old, went to Fisk, and then to NYU. He taught me my senior year at TSU. I ended up get ting a degree in Applied Mathematics.
TSU really mentored me in the 60s. I was there from ‘61 to ’66, and the environment was a supportive environment for students at that time. I’m still grateful for the mentoring of Dr. Llayron Clarkson and Professor Alvin Wardlaw, because they made a big impression on me. Clarkson gave me my frst “C” when I was about 19 years old, and I said, “I’m going to do this mathematics and show him I can do this stuf.” I stayed in touch with Clarkson until he passed away recently.
I needed some legal help when I was younger, and my daddy sent me to Fifth Ward to a lawyer who had an ofce on Lyons Avenue. And guess who that was? Barbara Jordan. When we went to court and caught the elevator in Harris County, I remember Barbara, taller than me and very powerful, but I was a talker. I thought I was smart in those days. And I remember her saying on the elevator, [imitating Jordan’s voice] “Now, Jacqueline, when we get to court, I’ll do all the talking.” I never forgot that. I watched her throughout her career. I said, “Oh my God, my daddy sent me to somebody who became extremely powerful and articulate.” And, I love that.
When I was living in New York’s Brooklyn Heights, one day I was bored, and I caught the A-Train to go to Midtown Manhattan. When I got on the platform in Midtown Manhattan, somebody called my name. It was Eldrewey Stearns, the attorney that helped the TSU students protest at the
Weingarten’s on Almeda. He knew me from TSU. I didn’t really know him. I was surprised that he even knew my name. But he said, “Jacqueline, I want you to meet me at a book signing tomorrow in Harlem.” And I trusted him, so I met him in Harlem. And guess who I met and was introduced to by him. Maya Angelou. Tat book signing was for her frst book.
And I’m gonna tell you something else. I’m humble now, but when I met her, and I thought I was so smart in math and engineering, I wasn’t impressed. But as I watched her career, I said, “Oh, wow” <laughs>. I mean, what is the probability of me seeing Eldrewey Stearns on the subway platform in Manhattan, and he knew of the book signing for Maya Angelou? But he introduced me to one other great woman. He said, “I have somebody else I want you to meet.” And he wouldn’t tell me the name. But I met him in Midtown Manhattan a few days later and he introduced me to Dr. Margaret Mead (famous American cultural anthropologist).
Nobody but the Holy Spirit allowed me to be positioned to meet Eldrewey Stearns, the great lawyer, who eventually introduced me to two great women. Tat raised my expectation of what I could do in life to meet those kinds of people.
I was teaching at UH Downtown and had an older, Nigerian man in my class. He already had degrees from Nigeria, but he wanted American degrees. And he loved the way I presented the mathematics. One day, he said to me, “One of these days, I’m gonna help you travel all over Africa.” I went and told my mother, “I think this Nigerian is a little crazy. How could he invite me and tell me that one day he’s gonna help me travel all over Africa?” Well, he ended up being a very powerful man named Prince Jubril (Jubi) Adelegan, and he owned a newspaper in southwest Houston called “Te Houston Punch.” He asked me to write a few editorials, and I did. He loved the way I expressed myself in writing. Eventually he received a letter from the White House to travel with President William Jeferson Clinton and he was told that he could bring anybody he wanted on that trip. So, he called and invited me to travel with him, with President William Jeferson Clinton’s entourage…
