Houston Defender: April 18, 2013

NATIONAL

CLASS OF 2013 FACES DIM PROSPECTS, LOWER WAGES P3

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Hip hop evolves

NEWSTALK PAULA HARRIS discusses Ryan Middle School

P2 NATIONAL OPINION

VALERIE JARRETT defends president’s budget

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P3 HS ZONE

Jay-Z

DAYE SHON ROBERSON blossoms in track and field Bun B

Chamillionaire

Chad Boseman stars in ‘42’

Chadwick “Chad” Boseman has the starring role in “42,” the new movie about baseball great Jackie Robinson. What was it like preparing for the part of a lifetime?

Did he feel any pressure portraying the man who broke the color barrier? What does he have to say about Denzel Washington?

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P15 CHAG’S PLACE

Greg Smith

assists Rockets The Houston Rockets are going to the NBA playoffs, and center/power forward Greg Smith has emerged as a versatile, solid performer this season.

Hear why Smith calls playing with the Rockets a “blessing.” Discover his thoughts on two big-name players. Find out what he brings to the game.

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Ronald & Regina Jackson at the Elliott-Chandler Foundation gala

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DEFENDER | APRIL 18 | 2013

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Confederate park troubles Blacks

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Ryan, HISD’s smallest middle school, will become the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan.

Ryan Middle School begins new phase

A

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

s HISD moves forward with plans to repurpose Ryan Middle School, some community members continue to have doubts about the transformation.

HISD Trustee Paula Harris, however, said the change will be a good one.

“Ryan is a school in a community with a rich history that is worth preserving,” Harris said. “Because of changing neighborhood demographics and a decline in the number of school-age students in the community surrounding Ryan, converting the campus into a city-wide magnet offering a rigorous curriculum emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math offers a great solution for the campus’

future.”

The newly created Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan is one of two magnet schools recently approved by HISD, and will begin enrolling students for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year.

It will open with a sixth-grade class and eventually serve students in grades 6 through 8.

When HISD first announced plans to close Ryan and rezone its 265 students to Cullen Middle School, opponents in Third Ward called the move discriminatory.

Now that the school is being repurposed, questions still remain. During a recent meeting of the Now is the Time Houston Coalition, the plan for Ryan was one of the topics of discussion. Coalition members range from local ministers to former educaContinued on Page 11

State NAACP leaders are dismayed by the fact that members of the Sons and Daughters of Confederate Veterans recently dedicated a park in Palestine, Texas, for those who served in Confederacy armed forces, especially since it is the site of an alleged “hanging tree.”

Palestine NAACP Branch President Kenneth Davidson said he is disappointed that members chose a site that contains the tree, which has long been a part of Black oral history in the area.

“The tree is protected in the legal documents involving the land change that were filed with the county,” he said.

Davidson said in addition, “It is very important that the public hears and understands An alleged “hanging tree” is located in a what the Connew Confederate park in Palestine. federate battle flag means to average Texans or Palestine residents of minority descent.

“That flag remains a symbol of repression and a badge of slavery. The groups most closely associated with this symbol represent white supremacy organizations which have historically sought to intimidate people of color. We must remind everyone that this flag has been adopted and embraced by hate groups.”

State NAACP President Gary Bledsoe also criticized Confederate symbols, such as the Dixie flag embraced by the Palestine organization.

“We are working to address equity issues such as access to public education and public health,” Bledsoe said. “Symbols which incite racial hostility make it more difficult to address the issues that must be addressed to achieve true freedom and access for all Texans.”

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localbriefs STATE REP. SENFRONIA THOMPSON’S bill to fight against human trafficking passed the House of Representatives. “House Bill 8 continues the work necessary to prevent and eliminate the crime of human trafficking,” Thompson said. “As one of the first states to put trafficking laws on the books, this legislation keeps Texas at the forefront of fighting this crime and takes us one step closer to ending this scourge on humanity.”

Thompson said she hopes to see the bill on the governor’s desk soon…….. STATE REP. HAROLD DUTTON is seeking support of a bill he introduced. HB-1957 creates a statewide school district to turn around failing

Texas public schools. Under the bill, after ratings of low performance for two consecutive years, the Texas Education Agency commissioner can remove a campus from its current school district and place it into the Texas Achievement School District. “Closing a school campus does absolutely nothing to improve the students’ achievement,” Dutton said. There are currently 46 schools in Texas that have been low performing for at least two consecutive years and could be placed in the proposed district. HB-1957 is pending in the House Public Education Committee……..A NEW CAMPAIGN urges women to seek prenatal care in their first three

months of pregnancy. The Harris Health IMPACT Collaborative, United Way 2-1-1 and the March of Dimes Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait project joined forces to introduce the “Go Before You Show” campaign. In Harris County, pregnant women entering into prenatal care in their first trimester has been declining since 2005. Women who see a healthcare provider regularly during pregnancy have healthier babies, are less likely to deliver prematurely, and are less likely to have other serious problems related to pregnancy. The campaign also encourages women to call the United Way 2-1-1 hotline for free information and referral services.

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APRIL 18 | 2013 | DEFENDER

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national

U.S.briefs fendernetwork.com PRESIDENT OBAMA said that whoever is responsible for the April 15 bombing at the Boston Marathon “will feel the full weight of justice.” Two explosions occurred near the finish line at the race, killing at least three people and injuring more than 100.

“We still do not know who did this or why, and people shouldn’t jump to conclusions before we have all the facts, but make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this, and we will find out who did this,” Obama said. Law enforcement authorities across the country were on heightened alert........ FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA will deliver commencement addresses at two colleges and one high school. She will speak at Eastern Kentucky University on May 11, and at predominantly Black Bowie University on May 17. Mrs. Obama will address graduates at a magnet high school for health sciences in Nashville on May 18……. A FLORIDA POLICE OFFICER accused of bringing targets resembling Trayvon Martin to a gun range has been fired. Sgt. Ron King of Port Canaveral was at target practice with two other officers and a civilian when he pulled out the targets. King asked the group if they wanted to use the targets and they said no, telling King to put them back into his patrol car. Port Canaveral is about 50 miles southeast of Sanford, where Martin was killed by George Zimmerman……..U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE John Kerry said foreign students are increasingly afraid of studying abroad in the U.S. because of gun violence. During a trip to Asia, Kerry said, “We had an interesting discussion about why fewer students are coming – particularly from Japan – to study in the United States, and one of the responses I got from our officials, from conversations with parents here, is that they’re actually scared.”

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DECEMBER 13 | 2012 | DEFENDER

Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett said President Obama’s budget ensures balanced cuts without hurting the most vulnerable Americans.

White House defends Obama budget

By MAYA RHODAN NNPA Washington Correspondent

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resident Obama’s fiscal year 2014 budget focuses on job creation, strengthening the middle class, and cutting the deficit.

Those are the overall themes of the proposed budget, which seeks to reduce the deficit by $4 billion. Obama is sticking with his State of the Union promises to raise the minimum wage to $9 an hour and increase access

to early childhood education.

Yet, along with favoring higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans, the president’s budget calls for reducing the costof-living adjustment for Social Security beneficiaries.

What will budget do to help members of the Black community recover?

White House leadership sought to answer that question during a recent interview with select reporters.

They said that major investments in education will have a

significant impact on AfricanAmericans.

Innovations in K-12, a redesign of high school, an improvement on college affordability, and an improvement of higher education for minority students make up more than $1 billion of the president’s proposed budget.

“The budget makes sure we make balanced cuts without hurting the most vulnerable Americans,” said Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to the president.

“Although we’ve seen the African-American unemployContinued on Page 4

Class of 2013 faces dim prospects, lower wages VOLUME 82 • NUMBER 25 - APRIL 18, 2013 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Strategic Alliance Manager Clyde Jiles Multimedia Manager Tiffany Williams Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People Editor Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker

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A recent report shows that for the fifth consecutive year, new graduates will enter a profoundly weak labor market and will face high unemployment and underemployment rates and depressed wages.

The report was released by the Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank.

For young high school graduates, the unemployment rate is 29.9 percent, compared with 17.5 percent

in 2007, and the underemployment rate is 51.5 percent, compared with 29.4 percent in 2007.

For college graduates, the unemployment rate is 8.8 percent, compared with 5.7 percent in 2007, and the underemployment rate is 18.3 percent, compared with 9.9 percent in 2007.

(The underemployed includes those who want a job but have given up actively seeking work, and those who are working part-time but want full-time jobs.)

Wages have also declined.

Between 2007 and 2012, the wages of young high school graduates dropped 11.7 percent, and the wages of young college graduates dropped 7.6 percent.

“Instead of focusing on deficit reduction, policymakers should be passing policies that will generate demand for U.S. goods and services, and therefore demand for workers who provide them,” said Heidi Shierholz, an economist who helped compile the data.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 18 | 2013

White House....

Continued from page 3 ment rate drop from its peak in 2011, we all know we still have more to do to help families and provide opportunities for Americans who have been fighting to receive a job.”

Although many of the budget proposals that target the African-American community are focused on education, there are a number that help American workers in general.

They include an $8 billion investment in a Community College to Career fund, a $12.5 billion Pathways to Work fund that helps worker gain skills for long-term employment, and a $4 billion reemployment program that funds strategies to help the long-term unemployed get jobs.

“The president is not going to be satisfied until every American who wants a job can get one,” Jarrett said. “That’s his North Star. That’s what he thinks about every morning and that’s what he challenges his staff to do every day.”

Jobs have been the focus of the Obama presidency since he first took office in 2009 when 2.5 million jobs were lost during his first four months in office.

Four months into his second term, the economy is adding, on average, 169,000 jobs every month.

The budget also provides $40 million to the Department of Justice prison re-entry programs, including substance abuse treatment programs and alternatives to prison.

Another $90 million is set aside to provide employment services to youth ex-offenders, which are proposed to include job training, counseling, and drug treatment.

Another impact the budget could have on Black families is a significant investment in infrastructure and transportation – $90 billion in total – that will spur job creation and improve downtrodden communities.

Cecilia Muñoz, director of the Domestic Policy Council, said the president is creating “ladders of opportunity” for those in neighborhoods who are striving to reach the middle class, referring to a phrase Obama used during his State of the Union address.

“We’re partnering with the hardest hit, highest poverty neighborhoods to be able to work with communities to help them grow,” Muñoz added.

The president’s budget has been met with criticism over his proposal change the way cost-of-living adjustment are calculated for Social Security recipients.

The new approach to inflation would not be applied to Pell Grant recipients, lowincome veterans, nor would it be used in poverty level programs.

“It’s not something that was previously put in,” explained Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council. “This is not an ideal budget proposal, but it’s a part of the compromise to turn off sequester.”

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Chad Boseman plays baseball great Jackie Robinson in the film “42.”

APRIL 18 | 2013 | DEFENDER

entertainment Boseman honored to portray Robinson

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By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender

ailing from Anderson, S.C., Chadwick Boseman is an accomplished actor, scriptwriter and playwright who, until now, was probably best known for portraying the character Nate on the TV series “Lincoln Heights.”

Prior to entering show business, Boseman earned degrees at Howard University and the British American Dramatic Academy at Oxford.

Here, he talks about playing Jackie Rob-

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inson opposite Harrison Ford and Nicole Beharie in “42,” a biopic about the late Hall of Famer’s historic breaking of Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947.

KW: What did it mean to you to portray Jackie Robinson and how did you prepare for the role?

CB: It’s just a great honor to play him. I basically paid attention to three different aspects of the role. First, the physical aspect of baseball, and his five-day-a-week workout regimen starting with Spring Training in the middle of January all the way to May. Secondly, I studied Hall of Fame footage of Jackie so that I could emulate his batting stance, Continued on Page 6

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Boseman...Continued from page 5

Actor and comedian KEVIN HART says his recent DUI arrest is Los Angeles was an eye opener. “This is a wakeup call for me,” he tweeted. California Highway Patrol authorities said they saw Hart speeding down the freeway and weaving across lanes in his black Mercedes. He was held on a $5,000 bond……..The JACKIE ROBINSON biopic “42” was a box office surprise, opening with $27.3 million…….. “Motown: The Musical” recently opened on Broadway. It is adapted for the stage by BERRY GORDY JR. and highlights such musical legends as the TEMPTATIONS, STEVIE WONDER, MARVIN GAYE, DIANA ROSS and MICHAEL JACKSON……..

WENDY WILLIAMS makes her Broadway debut in “Chicago,” and stars as Mama Morton for a limited engagement beginning in June…….. D.L. HUGHLEY is the latest celebrity to be voted off “Dancing With the Stars.” After being informed of his exit, Hughley hugged his pro dance partner, Cheryl Burke, and joked with judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli. Hughley said he enjoyed the experience. “I played with house money. Thank you team DL and Cheryl for keeping us in this long. I’ve had a ball,” he said……..The Ensemble Theatre’s Act One Young Professionals group hosts its second annual night of poetry Saturday, April 27 at 7 p.m. at 3535 Main St. The host is JOSEPH “JOE P” PALMORE. Featured poets include: BLACKBLUES, JEM THE POET, OUTSPOKEN BEAN and KAYENNE NEBULA. For ticket information call 713-520-0055 or visit EnsembleHouston.com/ActOne/index.html.

how he took leads, how he ran bases, the arm slide he used in certain situations, and his fielding style. Third, there was the question of how to attack the role.

I didn’t want to just do an imitation.

I wanted to interpret it while remaining faithful to the script and [director] Brian Helgeland’s vision.

The research also included reading, and talking to Jackie’s widow, Rachel, and his daughter, Sharon, in order to deliver the most authentic interpretation of him possible.

KW: Did you feel any pressure to get Jackie right, given his importance in history?

CB: Yes, because Jackie is a hero to people from so many walks of life whose reverence for him is often based on different interpretations of who he was. I also felt a certain amount of responsibility to give an accurate account of his life and the person that he was for the benefit of the youth who don’t know him.

KW: What did you find out about Jackie Robinson that surprised you the most?

CB: I was surprised that he was considering quitting baseball just before he was signed by the Dodgers. He had become disenchanted with barnstorming

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across the country in the Negro League for several reasons: he often had to play several games a day; there were a lot of places where African-Americans couldn’t stop to eat, sleep, buy gas or even use the bathroom; and he wasn’t being paid enough at a time when the most important thing to him was taking care of his family. I was also surprised that baseball was only his fourth best sport. He was an All-American football player, a great basketball player, and he could’ve gone to the Olympics in track and field.

KW: Robinson encountered extraordinary obstacles because of his skin color. Have you encountered similar obstacles in your acting career?

KB: Well, you don’t get the same opportunities as white actors. Every year, Hollywood is looking for that new, white leading man and new white starlet that audiences fall in love with.

But they’re not looking for the next Denzel Washington, Will Smith or Sidney Poitier. Some of that is due to the fact that even in our educational process we’re taught history from a totally Eurocentric perspective. Since we don’t value our own history, African-American stories don’t get made into movies as much.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 18 | 2013

cover

Houston hip hop changed the game

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By TIFFANY L. WILLIAMS Defender

he 101-year-old campus of Rice University might seem worlds away from hip hop culture, but the fact that the two are now connected is indicative of how hip hop has evolved through the years.

Legendary local hip hop company Swishahouse Entertainment is featured in the university’s archives, and six Swishahouse artists and executives recently participated in a Rice panel discussion about Houston’s hip hop history and how they all got started.

“We didn’t make a dollar off screw tape, not one dollar, but we had so much fun,” said Swishahouse artist, Lil’ KeKe, referring to a tape release from his time as a member of Screwed Up Click.

Although Houston is most noted in the hip hop world for its musical contributions, it is also responsible for influencing other areas of hip hop life. When referring to certain aspects of cars, people from across the country have been echoing such phrases as “candy paint” and “ridin’ SLABS,” terms coined by Houston rappers.

One of the misconceptions about hip hop is that it only consists of rap music. It also includes fashion, street art, dance and more.

“Rap may be the language in certain ways but hip hop is much more expansive – it’s a culture,” said Rice University professor Anthony Pinn, who started the hip hop archive.

Hip hop artists range from international stars such as Jay Z and Lil’ Wayne to teenagers rapping on the street corners of Fifth Ward.

It is impossible to discuss the history of hip hop culture without mentioning Houston’s many contributions.

As early as the ‘80s, Houston began gaining national attention with the 1989 release of the Geto Boys’ second album, “Grip It! On That Other Level.”

According to local hip hop scholar Maco L. Faniel, Houston hip hop, like most pioneering cities, started in clubs and on street corners and quickly evolved from there.

In 1986, Houston native J. Prince launched the city’s first rap label, Rap-A-Lot Records, putting countless local artists, including the Geto Boys, on the map.

“If you wanted to do rap music at that time you went to Rap-A-Lot Records because that was the label where people were becoming successful,” Faniel said.

Following 1991 is when Faniel said more local and locally-signed artists such as 8Ball and MJG, UGK, Street Military, K-Rino and The South Park Coalition, ESG and others began to surface.

“During that era the game was so new and all those groups were so different,” K-Rino said.

“They had their own style and their own sound, and I think that’s what drew an interest to the city

of Houston.”

What made Houston stand out, K-Rino said, was its mass of independent, Houston-owned labels such as Suavehouse, Rap-A-Lot, BeatBox and Big Tyme records.

“We pioneered…independent record labels in the southern region,” he said. “Nobody wanted to sign southern artists at that time because they felt like we didn’t have anything to offer.

“When they saw us selling all the records on our own labels without the aid of major record labels, that’s when the major labels started calling,” he said.

Around 1994, Faniel said another pioneering hip hop heavyweight emerged, providing a new, “distinctive Houston sound.”

That sound, most notably referred to as “chopped and screwed” music, a method of slowing down a song’s tempo, was created by a late, famed deejay from the Southside named DJ Screw.

Not long after Screw and his Screwed Up Click revolutionized Houston’s mixtape game, young radio deejay Michael 5000 Watts began building Swishahouse Entertainment for the city’s Northside.

Teaming up with longtime friend G-Dash, the two took the brand and later the record label to new heights, eventually bringing international attention to Houston.

G-Dash, who is the company’s co-CEO, said they changed the mixtape game by putting their 1999 debut release, “The Day Hell Broke Loose Part 1” in record stores, making it more accessible to audiences.

“I saw [Swishahouse] growing, I had a vision for us,” G-Dash said. “We had so much success on an underground level, I knew it was going to be 10 times greater…if we took it to a commercial level.”

During the early 2000s, several local artists, including Lil’ Flip, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire and Mike Jones signed major record label deals, exposing the world to Houston’s unique sounds.

Sean “Diddy” Combs

Jay-Z

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Discussing hip hop at a Rice University panel discussion are (l. to .r) Swishahouse founder/bra

Cultural impact is wide reaching Hip hop might have started on the urban streets of New York but it has expanded well beyond there, growing into a multi-billion dollar industry, with influences across the world in the areas of music, food, art, fashion and more.

“There are few forms of popular culture that have had the reach and impact that hip hop has had,” said Rice University professor Anthony Pinn.

While some limit hip hop to rap, Pinn maintains that it is much more than music.

“Rap is only one dimension of hip hop culture,” he said. “You have an aesthetic, a way of dress, you’ve got art – it’s a much richer culture.”

Elements of the culture Pinn refers to can be seen and heard o and their soundtracks, TV shows, commercials and ads internation Much of hip hop’s mass appeal can be attributed to corporatio in, as well as the international success of many of the industry’s rap business-moguls, including Jay Z, Diddy, 50 Cent, Birdman and D Each of them gained fame from rapping but now sit atop emp millions for their many business ventures outside of music.

Just this year, they each made “The Forbes Five: Hip-Hop’s W Artists 2013,” namely for their corporate deals that include clothin

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One can’t talk about Houston hip hop without mentioning pioneering recording label Rap-A-Lot Records.

Founded in 1986, RapA-Lot has been a staple in Houston’s music scene and is responsible for launching the careers of some of the city’s top selling artists, including Geto Boys, Scarface and Do or Die. “Rap-A-Lot was the first and they basically put the city on the map in terms of giving us an identity and giving other artists the belief that it can be done,” said longtime, local rap artist K-Rino, who is a member of South Park Coalition. “They showed us that it could be done and that motivated us to do it.”

The label, founded by Houston native James Prince, was also the first to take Houston’s rap sound

national with popular hits from the Geto Boys in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

According to the company’s website, the reason Prince started the label was to encourage youth to attend school.

“I would come home from work to have lunch and these two boys would always be playing hooky from school and were always rapping,” Prince said. “I promised them if they went to school, I would help them to get started in music.”

The two boys Prince made the deal with would go on to become members of the Geto Boys.

Hip hop gives back

and manager Michael 5000 Watts and artists Chamillionaire, Lil’ KeKe and Archie Lee.

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Rap-A-Lot helped pave the way

p o ph s e v l o ev Chamillionaire

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Several Houston rappers have received international attention and accolades as well. In 2006, rapper Chamillionaire won a Grammy Award for his smash hit “Ridin.”

During a panel discussion at Rice University, Chamillionaire and other local artists spoke about how international fame has helped them become more conscious of the world around them.

“Before, I didn’t care who was listening…but now I know I’m affecting people’s lives so it started mattering what I was saying,” Chamillionaire said.

he Houston area for over 80 years

While some criticize hip hop culture, often citing its controversial rap lyrics and unconventional modes of dress, there are elements that are much more positive, according to Rice University professor Anthony Pinn.

“Hip hop culture has offered communities a way of thinking about the world, a way of being active in their world and a way of responding to joy and tragedy,” said Pinn, who coteaches a hip hop and religion course at Rice with local rapper Bun B. “It has given folks who have been economically marginalized an opportunity to not only make good but make sense of their world,” he said.

Many among Houston’s hip hop elite, including members from Swishahouse and Rap-A-Lot Records, have also dedicated much of their time to giving back to their communities.

In 2010, Rice University honored

Rap-A-Lot Records founder J. Prince for his many contributions.

“We wanted to recognize his creativity, his ingenuity – the way he has played a role not only in hip hop but in the community,” Pinn said.

Swishahouse received an award from the University of Houston in 2011 for promoting HIV/STD prevention.

“I think it’s important because it’s a way of educating the community,” said Swishahouse co-CEO G-Dash. “It gives them facts instead of hearsay.

A lot people learn from their peers or friends but the information their friends give could be wrong.

“We’re passing out pamphlets and providing testing,” he said.

More recently, local hip hop legend Bun B joined Mayor Annise Parker in announcing a public safety campaign to discourage texting while driving.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 18 | 2013

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D

By Eve Bowers, M.D.

iabetes is one of the most serious health problems the African-American community faces today. Nearly 5 million AfricanAmericans 20 years of age or older (18.7 percent) have diabetes – not counting those who don’t even know they have this chronic disease.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications such as blindness, kidney disease, amputations, heart Dr. Eve Bowers disease, stroke and nerve damage. In fact, heart disease and stroke account for approximately 68 percent of deaths in people with diabetes. Additionally, 60 percent to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some level of nervous system damage, including lack of feeling or pain in their feet or hands.

A Self-Managed Disease Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is unknown, although both genetics and lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack

of exercise appear to play roles.

Diabetes is a self-managed disease.

The chances of having diabetes complications can be reduced by keeping blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the target range.

You can lead a full and active life with diabetes, but need to: • Check your blood glucose.

• Check your feet for wounds or sores that aren’t healing.

• Eat healthy.

• Exercise.

• Manage your weight.

• Take medication as prescribed.

• Get regular checkups.

Healthy Eating & Exercise Healthy eating is a cornerstone of any diabetes management plan. Healthy eating means: • Eating whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

• Limiting foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt.

• Avoiding overeating.

Physical activity is another important part of your diabetes management plan. When you exercise, your muscles

use sugar (glucose) for energy. Regular physical activity also improves your body’s response to insulin. These factors work together to lower your blood sugar level.

Besides managing blood glucose, regular exercise will: • Help insulin work better.

• Lower blood pressure.

• Help reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke.

• Help manage your weight.

Medication Types For some people, making lifestyle changes is enough to keep their diabetes under control. However, many people with diabetes also need to take diabetes pills or insulin.

People who have Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin to stay alive. A person with Type 2 diabetes might need to take diabetes pills or insulin, or both, to control blood glucose.

There are several different types of diabetes pills and insulin. You and your doctor will decide what type of medicine is right for you.

Dr. Eve Bowers is a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist at Kelsey-Seybold’s new Meyerland Plaza Clinic.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bowers, call the 24hour Kelsey-Seybold Contact Center, 713-442-0000. View her bio at kelsey-seybold.com/bios.

The Nation’s FIRST Accredited Accountable Care Organization Is Right Here in Houston.

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Our recognition as the nation’s

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More at AccountableCareHouston.com

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APRIL 18 | 2013 | DEFENDER

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Ryan Middle School...Continued from page 2 tors, and address pressing issues in the community.

“Concerns were that students are being taken from their zoned school, without regard to any full investment,” said Dr. Robert Gilmore, president/CEO of Real Urban Ministry.

“The building is being taken over by groups that have another agenda, without any community input as to solutions, and in fact, it was a done deal. There will be the PR plan to use the name Baylor, but will there be quality [education] for all students in the area?”

Gilmore, who attended Ryan, said there were also concerns that Cullen is not prepared for Ryan students.

Harris said that with its larger student body, larger staff and a more robust budget for programming, Cullen is more than prepared to accept Ryan’s students.

“By combining the two student bodies, children in the neighborhood will have access to a greater variety of programs and services that neither school could afford on its own,” she said.

Concerning charges of “another agenda,” Harris said the goal is a higher level of education for all communities.

“This school could have gone anywhere in the city,” Harris said. “I am happy that it will allow buses to roll into our community and mix with the current children for a larger budget and greater strategic plan for raising achievement and lowering the gap.”

Gilmore also believes that the change at Ryan was done “with real estate in mind.”

He said suggestions for dealing with such issues include asking “for federal intervention, use the Office of Civil Rights Title 6 process, and establish a communitybased oversight group that will monitor movement of decisions, funding and the like.”

Harris sympathizes with those opposed to Ryan’s transformation.

“I understand the feelings of loss, but we cannot continue to punish the 265 children left at Ryan with inappropriate funding,” she said. “Providing those children with an underfunded school is racism.

Over the years our community and HISD have neglected

HISD Trustee Paula Harris

Ryan. And because of that neglect we have successfully fought over the last five

Dr. Robert Gilmore

years for Ryan to receive more funding than any other middle school in the district

on a per child basis…

“A Ryan and Cullen merger was included in the 2007 bond, and we have fought long and hard to keep it open,” Harris said. “With more and more families choosing to bus kids to Lanier, Pin Oak and Pershing we need more competitive options in this community to bring those children back home.

“We need more schools that see buses rolling in like DeBakey, YWCPA and now the new Baylor Academy at

Ryan,” Harris said. “With Ryan averaging 80 students per grade level there will be plenty of room for our students to merge with other students coming into our community for a rigorous middle school experience.”

The other new magnet school is Energy Institute High School, the first of its kind in the nation. It will begin with ninth-grade students and add a grade level each year to eventually serve students in grades 9-12.

Free prevention and early detection health services Now through December, the Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour with AARP will travel the country providing free health tests, assessments, education and consulting services to communities with the highest prevalence for leading diseases and uninsured or unemployed community members.

These free health tests include: total cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, body composition, skeletal muscle, resting metabolism, visceral fat, real body age and body weight.

The Way to Well Health Tour is a charitable component of Walgreens Way to Well Commitment®, a four-year, $100 million initiative improving the everyday health of Americans nationwide. The initiative also provides accessible, affordable resources for prevention and early detection of major chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

For tour details and schedule, visit Walgreens.com/WayToWell.

12 DEFENDER | APRIL 18 | 2013

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Green congratulates academy nominees Defender News Services

Congressman Al Green met with and congratulated three 2013 military service academy appointees from the Ninth Congressional District, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory seniors Elijah Cherry, Allen Ahn and Jordan Brooks.

This is the first year since taking office that Green has achieved the feat of having three students from the same high school receive the appointments.

“I am truly excited that this opportunity has been offered to Elijah, Jordan, and Allen,” Green said. “I am certain that the excellence of the educators and administrators at the Strake Jesuit College Preparatory played a significant part in the exceptional achievement of these three young people.”

Ahn, a fluent Korean speaker as well as being an accomplished athlete and student leader, was appointed to U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Cherry, an excellent lacrosse player with a long list of extracurricular activities, was appointed to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Brooks, a nationally-ranked soccer player and camp counselor for autistic adults, was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy.

“We are very grateful to Congressman Al Green who nominated these three young men. Each year we have many highly-qualified students who want to serve their country, and desire to begin by enrolling in one of the military service academies,” said Father Daniel Lahart, president of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.

Congressman Al Green joins (l. to r.) Command Sgt. Major Philip Kraus, Allen Ahn, Jordan Brooks, Elijah Cherry and Father Daniel Lahart.

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T:6.5”

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Jackson Lee opposes knives on airplanes

transit industry stakeholders from unreasonable Congresswoman Sheila risks of harm is not a parJackson Lee and New York tisan or regional issue but Congressman Michael Grimm an American issue.” introduced legislation expressJackson Lee noted ing disapproval of a plan anthat in March, “TSA nounced by the Transportation announced its decision Security Administration (TSA) to permit passengers, efto permit passengers to carry fective April 25, 2013, to small knives on board commerbring previously-banned cial aircraft. items in their carry-on Jackson Lee is a senior baggage when boarding member of the House Homeflights. Prohibited items land Security Committee and that would now be permitCongresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee ranking member of its Border ted include hockey or laand Maritime Security Subcrosse sticks, golf clubs, and, most alarmingly, committee. small knives,” she said.

“The bipartisan resolution (H. Res. 156) “The terrorists who attacked us on SepI introduced today with Congressman Grimm tember 11th overpowered crew members and of New York calls upon the TSA not to go pilots and gained access to the cockpits using forward with proposed changes to its ‘Prohibbox cutters, which are small sharp knife-like ited Items List’ that would allow potentially objects. dangerous items, including small knives, to be “And just last week, the nation was carried aboard commercial aircraft,” she said. reminded of the terrible harm that even small “We believe that this policy places the sharp objects like a razor utility knife can American public, flight attendants, federal air inflict when a lone assailant stabbed 14 people marshals, and pilots at risk. We took this action with an X-Acto knife on the campus of Lone because protecting the flying public and the air Star College in Houston,” she said.

Defender News Services

APRIL 18 | 2013 | DEFENDER

Mr. and Miss TSU crowned Marinda Frugé, a junior accounting student from Houston, was recently crowned Miss Texas Southern University.

Nathaniel Harris III, a senior Marinda Frugé Nathaniel Harris III Spanish major from Jacksonville, Fla.,walked away with the Mr. TSU title.

First runner-up for Miss TSU was Adrienne Tate, a junior health information management major from Sugar Land. Second runner-up was Ashley Pointer, a senior psychology and criminal justice major from Waldorf, Md. First runner-up for Mr. TSU was Carlos Mason, a junior business administration student from Benton Harbor, Mich. Second runner-up was Chinoso Ezeudu, a pharmacy student from Enugu State, Nigeria.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 18 | 2013

sports

Rockets punch ticket to 2013 NBA playoffs

F

By MAX EDISON Defender

or the first time in four years the Houston Rockets have claimed a spot in the NBA playoffs. We need a quick show of hands of everybody who saw this coming at the beginning of the season. Hold them up high!

With the youngest roster in the NBA and the sixth youngest in NBA history to ever make the playoffs, the Rockets are on their way. Houston fans have a reason to rejoice as we cheer for this improbable cast of youthful heroes.

With a hodge-podge cast, the foundation of this season’s success was cemented less than a week before the regular season began. It occurred Oct. 27, the day they traded for James Harden. With Harden, a proven All-Star, as the go-to man on the court and Kevin McHale and staff doing a masterful job of plugging and playing the right parts, the pieces have come together.

As the regular season comes to an end and playoff preparation begins, McHale paused to reflect on the team’s progress.

“There’s a lot of stuff to be proud of,” McHale said.

“I think James [Harden] has had a tremendous year. Jeremy Lin coming in has played very, very well, [as has] Omer Asik for the first time starting. Greg Smith has really come on, Terrence Jones is coming on, finding Patrick Beverley and bringing him over here…like I said we’re just building and building.”

McHale points to the Rockets success in the Toyota Center as a key to their good fortunes.

“I think…29-12 at home is big,” he said. “I thought that was a good home record and I think that for teams that are building and are trying to get where we want to go, you’ve got to establish winning at home first and then build on that.”

Two players who epitomize who the Rockets are and what they have accom-

defendernetwork.com

Greg Smith

plished this season are versatile center/ power forward Greg Smith and back-up point guard Patrick Beverley.

Smith (6-feet-10, 250 pounds, Fresno State), was undrafted (2011) and played in Mexico before signing with the Rockets and spending considerable time with the D-league Vipers (2011-2012).

Seen initially as a back-up center to Omer Asik, Smith has emerged as a solid performer. He is a physical presence that compliments Asik. In addition offensively, his style compliments Harden and Lin as a finisher around the bucket.

“It’s a crazy feeling and a blessing. I never saw myself as a starter for this team because we were so loaded with high draft picks at my position,” Smith said. “After the trade [Patrick Patterson for Thomas Robinson] the coaches said they would give me a shot. I accepted the opportunity and ran with it.

Smith is a versatile center/power forward and solid performer.

“We’re a young team that plays uary as an insurance policy at the back-up point guard together,” Smith continued. “We fight, we run position, Patrick Beverley has excelled and exceeded the floor, we have good pace everyone’s expectations. Drafted by the Lakers in the second round (2009), Beverley had excelled in the and we have a great player Ukrainian Basketball Super League before joining the like James Harden leading Rockets. He is a tenacious defender and a capable our team. He plays hard playmaker, spelling Lin and leading the team’s second every night which is a good unit. example for us young guys.

“I’m in a perfect situation to display my game,” Jeremy played with those Beverley said. “It’s been a goal of mine to play in the veterans in New York and he’s NBA and the Rockets are a great team for me. I think a good teacher as well.” our decision-makers, the GM, the coaches have done Acquired in Jana tremendous job putting together pieces that complement each other.

Beverley, a back-up point guard, is a “We’re all young hungry guys who are grateful tenacious defender. for our opportunities and have something to prove. We have a group that has real good chemistry and we’re playing with confidence heading into the playoffs.”

At press time the Rockets occupy the sixth seed in the Western Conference and will be a solid underdog when the playoffs begin. Nevertheless, McHale likes his team’s chances.

Patrick Beverley “We’ll be underdogs to whoever we play. That’s fine with us. We want to get in there and get the guys playing well. I like our chances against anybody. If we can get defensive stops and get out and run and put pressure on the rim and knock down some shots, we’ll give everybody we play a good go,” McHale said.

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APRIL 18 | 2013 | DEFENDER

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h.s.zone

sportsbriefs

Daye Shon Roberson

blossoms into track star

D

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

aye Shon Roberson is the definition of an athletic “late bloomer.”

The Wheatley High School senior track and field standout didn’t go out for the track team until 10th grade. She recently signed a national letter-of-intent to attend the University of Oklahoma on a track scholarship next fall.

How did one development lead to the other?

“Coach Mario Lewis saw me playing basketball, softball and volleyball. He asked me to come join the track team,” Roberson said. “I said okay, it’s another sport. So I got out there and he saw something in me and here I am now.”

Amen for good coaches.

At the recent District 21-4A track and field meet, Roberson placed first in the 200 meters (24.38), first in the 400 meters (56.18), first in the long jump (17-9.50), second in the high jump (4-10) and ran a leg on Wheatley’s first-place 4X100 relay squad (47.06). Her younger sister Takyera won the 100 meters and placed second in the 200 meters.

When asked about the highlight of her track and field career so far, Roberson says she has two. “I ran a 53-second 400-meter race at this year’s TSU Relays,” she said. “That 53 [seconds] represented what I’d been working for. I put everything into what I do in track. I put everything into practice. When I step on the track, I never give less than 100 percent.

“The other thing is our 4x100 relay team winning district,” Roberson said. “People say we really don’t have relay teams. It’s like we fell off the map when Dominique Duncan graduated. We’ve got two relays going somewhere and with all the other events, Wheatley is back on the map. Fifth Ward is back on the map. Here we go,” she said.

Wheatley star Daye Shon Roberson started running track in the 10th grade.

15

Roberson selected the University of Oklahoma after taking visits to Texas Tech and Texas Christian University (TCU).

“I loved it at Texas Tech but something wasn’t feeling right so I told myself to keep moving around,” Roberson said. “Then I went to TCU and I thought ‘Oh this is so nice.’

“But then I got to OU and I was sold,” Roberson said.

“It was like give me the pen, give me the pen. Can I sign right now? Can I put on the uniform? The coaches told me to just wait. I fell in love with the atmosphere. I fell in love with the team. Everyone was so friendly, it’s homey and loving. Plus, I was born in Tulsa.”

Roberson will celebrate her 18th birthday on July 3 and says she’s looking forward to the momentous occasion. That makes her a Cancer and she lists her favorite color as green. She loves all kinds of pasta and says her favorite meal is lasagna.

Her favorite subject at school is English because she loves to read and write. When she wants to relax, she listens to music.

She’s considering a college major in either health science education or physical training because her goal is to one day own a business in those fields.

Based on her track record, she’ll probably make it happen.

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Subcontractors Requested

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas METROlift Minivan Transportation Services Bid Submittal Date: May 1, 2013 MV Transportation, Inc. is seeking proposals from SBE/DBE Subcontractors. Submit proposals for the following: Office Supplies, Printing Services, Staffing Services, Vehicle Parts, Vehicle Cleaning, Painting and Body Work, Consumable Fluids (Oil, Lubricants), Tires, Custodial Services, Facilities Maintenance, Bus Washing Chemicals, Fuel, Towing Services and Uniforms.

The RFP documents are available from our offices or from METRO directly. If you require additional advice and assistance in this process, obtaining necessary equipment, supplies, materials or related assistance or services; bonds, lines of credit, or insurance required by METRO or MV, please feel free to contact me at (707) 208-7128.

Interested firms please fax a letter of interest (include SBE/DBE certification information) by April 24, 2013. All proposals will be fairly evaluated.

Alda Spraggins Business Development MV Transportation, Inc. 479 Mason Street, Suite 221 Vacaville, CA 94688 Phone: (707) 208-7128 Fax: (972) 391-4994 aspraggins@mvtransit.com

Elsik earns 1st soccer berth The Alief Elsik boys’ soccer team kept trying to get to the mountaintop despite early-round playoff exits that past three years. Long considered one of the Houston area’s more talented teams, the Rams lost in the second round of the playoffs last year and in the first round the previous two seasons.

That changed recently when Elsik defeated Deer Park 1-0 in the Region III-5A final at Clyde Abshier Stadium. Deer Park suffered its only loss of the season and finished at 25-1-2. Elsik, 21-2-3, advances to the state tournament in Georgetown for the first time in school history. The Rams will be joined by Kingwood, Coppell and Brownsville Hanna. The semifinals are April 19 and the Class 5A final is April 20 at 6 p.m. Other Houston-area schools advancing to the state soccer tournament include Katy Taylor (girls) and Magnolia (girls).

The Kingwood boys advanced based on a 3-0 edge in penalty kicks over McKinney Boyd.

Make a Splash grants awarded The USA Swimming Foundation has awarded five Houston-area organizations grants to teach children how to swim and life-saving skills for free or at a reduced cost. Among 41 recipients nationwide, the five local organizations include the YMCA of Greater Houston, Harris County Aquatics, Dad’s Club Swim Start, First Colony Swim Team and Katy Aquatics. Since 2007, more than 1.8 million children have taken swim lessons through local Make a Splash partners. The USA Swimming Foundation has disbursed more than $2.8 million in grants.

Aggies shine in spring game The Texas A&M Aggies held their annual maroon & white spring football game recently in front of a record 45,000 fans. The Aggies finished their debut season in the SEC 11-2 and boast the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, who was sharp going 24-30 with 3 TDs. Running backs Trey Williams (Dekaney) and Brandon Williams (Brookshire Royal) also looked sharp. Defensively, the Aggies played without five starters who did not participate in spring workouts due to nagging injuries. Defensive backs Tony Hurd (Ft. Bend Marshall) and Deshazor Everett were cited for outstanding defensive play. Kevin Sumlin’s Aggies figure to be one of the nation’s top teams, but will be tested early when defending national champion Alabama visits Kyle Field on Sept. 14.

Texans plan draft party Texans fans in need of a football fix are invited to the 2013 Houston Texans Draft Party presented

by Coors Lite on Thursday, April 25 in the Verizon East Club at Reliant Stadium. The party begins at 6 p.m. and the 2013 NFL draft begins at 7 p.m.

Houston Texans players and Texans Ambassadors will be on hand to sign autographs throughout the evening. Fans can also get their first glimpse of the 2013 cheerleaders when the squad makes its debut performance at the event. Young fans can play in the TORO’s Kids Club Kids Zone presented

by Kroger, which will feature interactive games, a balloon artist and appearances by TORO and the Bull Pen Pep Band.

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16

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DEFENDER | APRIL 18 | 2013

chag’splace

For Event Coverage...visit

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who are interested in becoming successful college AN EVENING OF DISCO FEVER…..The Elliottgraduates. Special thanks to their board of directors Chandler Foundation hosted their annual gala at the and gala captains for making this a fun and profitable Sheraton Suites-Galleria with almost 300 guests in evening. Continued success!.....SENIORS EXPO….. attendance. The foundation seeks to provide critical The Missouri City/Houston Metro assistance and support to young Chapter of the National Women of men who are demonstrating a desire Join Yvette Chargois Achievement, Inc. presented the to excel in the area of academics Events of the Week 2013 Senior Citizens Expo held and pursue a degree from a More photos on defendernetwork.com at South Union Church of Christ. higher learning institution. They See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads The gymnasium was packed with awarded $9,500 in scholarships with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. seniors enjoying an afternoon of and the recipients included Jeremy fun and games that included Bible Blackwell, Deandre Johnson, trivia, bingo, cards, facials/makeup, Weston Breaux and Earlmond line dancing, cake walk, arm chair aerobics and much Hammond. The majority of the guests caught disco more. The event also included a delicious lunch. This fever and went all out by dressing in fashionable attire is just one of their many community-based programs. from the ‘70s. There were Afros, platform shoes, Kudos to chapter president Consuela Broussard, event hot pants, boots, colorful clothing, and of course, chair Sandria Tolliver, co-chair Janice Granger and dancing to the music of the ‘70s provided by DJ Mark chapter members Barbara Davis, Dorothy Watkins, Anthony. Y’all remember those days! We salute Rebecca Porter, Mary Addison, Minetta Prejean, Regina and Ronald Jackson, founder and CEO, for Geraldine Perry, Emma Joubert, Dorothy Stephens, their vision and dedication in assisting our young men

Willard and Edwina Breaux

Sue and Lionel Feazell

Mary Addison, Minetta Prejean, Geraldine D. Perry and Emma Joubert

Models Maggie Broussard, Vernetta Lenor and Eddie Goodlow

Derotha Stephens, Janice Granger, Consuela Broussard and Sandria Tolliver

Theresa Montgomery, Sylvia Rosplock, Jacqueline Lopes, Ester Lunnon and Sharon Jackson

Ruth Ferguson, Laura Alex and Lillian Hall. Great afternoon!.....CRYSTAL JUBILEE…..Callie LewisWatson Forty Plus Models, Inc. celebrated its 20th year of serving the community. The organization not only has provided monthly fashion shows for other organizations, fraternities, sororities and boutiques, they have provided thousands of dollars in scholarships.

This year they awarded $20,000 to graduating seniors.

Due to health issues, Callie Lewis-Watson, president/ CEO emeritus, has passed the torch to her daughter, Debra Lockett, to continue her vision of providing a top notch fashion show and awarding scholarships.

This year, approximately 1,500 guests attended to watch models Ruthie Jones, Vernetta Lenor, Maggie Broussard, Eddie Goodlow, Deborah Williams, Deborah Allen, Gwen Baylis, Lynn Bell, Theresa Montgomery, Sylvia Rosplock, Jacqueline Lopes, Ester Lunnon, Sharon Jackson, Sheila Hayes and Vivian Singleton, Model of the Year, to name a few.

Congratulations!.....From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

Founders Ronald and Regina Jackson

Ruth Ferguson, Laura Alex, Rebecca Porter and Lillian Hall

President Debra Lockett and Model of the Year Vivian Singleton

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