Houston Defender: April 24, 2014

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SUPREME COURT RULING DEALS BLOW TO AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, P3 defendernetwork.com

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Volume 83 | Number 25

IN MEMORIAM THEOLA BOOKER leaves gospel legacy

P2 NATIONAL KEVIN JOHNSON leads mayors’ group

Summer activities for kidS

P3 ENTERTAINMENT LAURA MVULA sings at International Festival

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Eric Holder helps offenders

Bo Porter remembers 42

Attorney General Eric Holder says the Justice Department will take steps that could reduce sentencing disparities for drug offenders in the federal prison system. See what role President Obama will play. Discover how the system has been unfair to Blacks.

Houston Astros manager Bo Porter joined other Major League Baseball personnel in honoring the late, great sports pioneer Jackie Robinson. Hear what Porter has to say about courage.

Find out the significance of Robinson’s No. 42 jersey.

HS ZONE JOSHUA BURRELL knows meaning of success

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Texas No. 1 in workplace harassment, discrimination

By LAGLORIA WHEATFALL Defender

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released its 2013 report of harassment and discrimination in the workplace and found that Texas ranked first in the country with a total of 9,068 charges in 2013.

According to the report, the total charges in 2012 in Texas were 8,929, which illustrates a 1.56 percent year-over-year increase.

Texas had a high number of charges across the board.

Retaliation, race and disability are the three highest types of

harassment and discrimination charges filed in 2013.

The Network, a governance, rules and compliance solutions provider, analyzed the report. Jimmy Lin, a company vice president, said the increase in Texas likely stemmed from employers’ lack of proper training on their harassment and discrimination policy.

“The increase…shows Texas businesses need to revamp their harassment and training programs,” Lin said. “While Texas only experienced a 1.56 percent increase in 2013, it’s still an increase. Companies need to take notice of the fact that it’s going up.”

The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws that

Memorial Hermann to expand Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center will begin a $650 million expansion and renovation to its Houston campus. The renovation will include an increase in the patient care area by 1 million square feet.

The project also includes construction of a new, stateof-the-art patient care building and an additional building that will include parking and infrastructure capabilities to support new growth.

An additional 160 beds, 24 new operating rooms, 16 additional emergency room bays, 750 new parking spaces and a 333-seat café will be provided in the new expansion.

The renovation will begin this summer and is expected to be completed in 2018.

make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person’s race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.

“Preventing harassment and discrimination in the workplace needs to start with a solid code of conduct and antiharassment policy that includes step-by-step instructions on what to do if an employee learns of violations to that policy,” Lin said.

Gospel musician Theola Booker dies Defender News Services

Dr. Theola Booker, a noted gospel musician and the wife of Greater St. Matthew Pastor Gusta Booker, died April 19 at the age of 70.

Services will be held Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m. at the church’s Southwest location, 14919 South Main.

Dr. Booker was a pianist, teacher, composer, author, lecturer and entrepreneur. She served as minister of music at Greater St. Matthew.

She composed and arranged music for the late James Cleveland and was affiliated with other gospel artists such as V. Michael McKay, Albertina Walker and Dorothy Norwood.

A native Houstonian, she attended Yates High School. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Texas Southern University, and earned a doctorate in music education from Lacrosse University.

She was a longtime educator with HISD and faculty member at the University of Houston Music Department. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

In addition to her husband, Dr. Booker is survived by three children, Ronald, Gusta III, and Alita Corine, five grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren and other family members.

localbriefs THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE in Texas fell to 5.5 percent in March, down two-tenths of a percentage point from February’s rate of 5.7 percent. The state’s unemployment rate remains below the national rate of 6.7 percent. Employers added 9,100 jobs in March for a total of 310,000 jobs added over the year. Employment continued to grow across a wide range of industries, with seven of the 11 major industries adding jobs in March. Professional and business services added 5,600 jobs in March, more than any other major industry……..THE DRIVER accused of running down South by Southwest attendees in Austin in March is facing four new charges

of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Rashad Owens, 21, has already been charged with murder and 20 counts of aggravated assault. The new charges add $500,000 to his $5 million in bail. Police said Owens was fleeing a patrolmen when he killed four people and injured 17.…..

STROKE AWARENESS is the focus of the second annual Stomp Out Stroke! Festival of Life. The free event will be held Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney.

Sponsored by the University of Texas Health Science Center, the event offers health screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, electrocardiogram, body mass index, body fat

percentage and obstructive sleep apnea. There will also be a kids’ zone. Lunch is provided for the first 500 registered guests. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. For information visit strokefestival.org/ ………THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION is accepting nominations for the 2014 Heroes for Children Award, which recognizes public school volunteers who have been strong advocates for Texas schoolchildren. Heroes will be honored during the Board of Education’s September 2014 meeting.

The deadline for applications is May 30. For information call 512-463-9839 or email Heroes@ tea.state.tx.us.

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APRIL 24 | 2014 | DEFENDER

Affirmative action ban upheld Defender News Services

The Supreme Court dealt a blow to affirmative action programs by upholding a Michigan law banning the use of racial preferences in college admissions.

The 6-2 decision came in a case that had been tied up in court for a decade. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented in the case. Justice Clarence Thomas agreed with the majority.

Sotomayor called the decision a blow to “historically marginalized groups, which rely on the federal courts to protect their constitutional rights.”

Seven other states – Arizona, California, Florida, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Washington – have similar bans on affirmative action.

Others may seek to follow suit.

The ruling does not jeopardize the wide use of racial preferences in many of the 42 states without bans. Such affirmative action programs were upheld, though subjected to increased scrutiny, in the court’s ruling last year involving the University of Texas.

UT President Bill Powers released a statement about the most recent ruling.

“We are reviewing today’s Supreme Court decision but, based on our preliminary review, we do not believe it has any effect on the University of Texas at Austin’s admissions policy or our recent admissions decisions,” Powers said.

However, Jon Greenbaum, chief counsel for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, called the ruling a step backward.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a step backward for racial inclusion by allowing voters to overrule the decision of Michigan university officials to consider race in admissions to achieve diversity,” Greenbaum said.

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Drug offenders could qualify for clemency

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Defender News Services

n an effort to reduce sentencing disparities for drug offenders in the federal prison system, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Justice Department (DOJ) will soon detail new, more expansive criteria to use in considering when to recommend clemency applications for President Obama’s review.

Executive clemency can take several forms, including pardon, commutation of sentence, remission of fine or restitution, or reprieve.

In anticipation of the increase of eligible petitioners, the DOJ is preparing to assign lawyers to review the applications.

“The White House has indicated it wants to consider additional clemency applications, to restore a degree of justice, fairness and proportionality for deserving individuals who do not pose a threat to public safety,” Holder said.

“The Justice Department is committed to recommending as many qualified applicants as possible for reduced sentences.”

According to the NAACP, five times as many whites use drugs as Blacks, yet Blacks are sent to prison for drug offenses at 10 times the rate of whites.

In addition, Blacks serve virtually as much time in prison for a drug offense (58.7 months) as whites do for a violent offense (61.7 months).

Holder noted that in 2010, Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act, reducing unfair disparities in sentences imposed on people for offenses involving different forms of cocaine.

“But there are still too many people in federal prison who were sentenced

under the old regime – and who, as a result, will have to spend far more time in prison than they would if sentenced today for exactly the same crime,” Holder said. “This is simply not right.”

Holder said the DOJ’s “new and improved approach” will make the criteria for clemency recommendation more expansive, allowing Obama to consider requests from a larger field of eligible individuals.

Attorney General Eric Holder

Johnson elected president of mayors’ group VOLUME 83 • NUMBER 25 APRIL 24, 2014 Print Editor Publisher Marilyn Marshall Sonceria Messiah-Jiles People Editor Advertising/Client Relations Yvette Chargois Selma Dodson Tyler Sports Editors Multimedia Manager Max Edison Tiffany Williams Darrell K. Ardison Online Editor Local Editor ReShonda Billingsley LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Contributing Writer Tony Fernandez-Davila Cierra Duncan The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

Defender News Services

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson was recently sworn in as president of the United States Conference of Mayors.

As president, Johnson will preside over official meetings, develop and advocate for the bipartisan agenda adopted by the nation’s mayors, appoint committee and task force chairs to serve in the leadership of the organization, and serve as the organization’s national and global spokesperson.

“It is a privilege and an honor to serve in this role, representing the nation’s mayors,” Johnson said.

“Mayors are at the helm of America’s cities and represent the best of this country developing innovative,

pragmatic solutions to the challenges they face. I look forward to learning from them while delivering results for Sacramento.”

Johnson was re-elected to a second term as Sacramento’s first African-American mayor in 2012.

Before running for public office, he had a diverse career as a professional athlete, entrepreneur and nonprofit executive.

From 1987 to 1999, Johnson played professional basketball in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. Johnson is first mayor of Sacramento to lead the group.

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International Festival offers music, culture

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Defender News Services

he 44th Houston International Festival will once again celebrate music, dance and culture. This year’s event highlights Australia. It takes place April 26-27 and May 3-4 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Downtown Houston.

“Spotlighting the culture of Australia will be so exciting,” said Kim Stoilis, IFest CEO. “There is a mystic about the ‘down under’ culture and one that Houstonians will love.”

IFest features more than 40 restaurants offering local and international foods as well as arts markets with more than 400 artists.

There will be music for everyone, including funk, rock, reggae, Latin music, R&B, jazz, blues and zydeco. Artists include British soul singer Laura Mvula, R&B singer Charles Bradley, the Family Stone band, Houston blues singer Trudy Lynn and Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws.

The Chevron Living Museum will showcase Australia with iconic structures, interactive exhibits, artisan demonstrations and performances.

IFest proceeds benefit the Houston Festival Foundation, which offers year-round arts and education programs reaching 900,000 students in Houston and beyond.

For ticket information visit ifest.org.

Charles Bradley

The Family Stone

Laura Mvula

what’sup “Scandal” recently closed out its third season with its mostwatched finale yet, attracting 10.5 million viewers. KERRY WASHINGTON, who is quickly approaching her due date, said concealing her pregnancy on the show was challenging.

“It’s been an awesome challenge for me as an actor because so much of how I access character is through my body. It’s definitely been complicated to say the least,” she said………

JADEN SMITH will portray Little Onion, a young slave who joins a team of abolitionists in a film adaptation of “The Good Lord Bird” by author JAMES MCBRIDE. Jaden, who is now 15, was last seen in the box office bomb “After Earth” with his dad, WILL SMITH……..SPIKE LEE said he would like the TRAYVON MARTIN story told on the big screen. “I’m not saying that I’m going to

do it, but I hope that there is something,” Lee said. “The first thing I think is there should be a documentary [about Trayvon] before they do a narrative of it. I’m not saying that I’m doing either, I’m just saying that I would like to see it.”

Lee also commended young director RYAN COOGLER for his acclaimed film “Fruitvale Station,” the true story of an unarmed Black man shot and killed by Oakland transit police. “I’m happy for any young filmmaker that gets their first feature film made, because Lord knows the odds are against you. This business is not set up for young people to succeed,” Lee said……..BILL COSBY will be honored with the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence at the “American Comedy Awards” on May 8 at 8 p.m. on NBC. The award is presented to an individual who has made

an extraordinary contribution to comedy and whose impact and innovations have changed the landscape and inspired future generations of entertainers. Cosby, 76, has captivated generations of fans with his routines, albums and best-selling books. In the 1960s, he became the first African-American to co-star on a TV drama series – “I Spy” – and won three consecutive Emmys. He created and produced the cartoon “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” and starred in “The Cosby Show,” which ran from 1984-92 on NBC……..OUTKAST members ANDRÉ 3000 and BIG BOI will headline this year’s BET Experience at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles in June. Other performers at the concert series, which precedes the BET Awards, include MAXWELL, JILL SCOTT and “American Idol” winner CANDICE GLOVER.

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What to do when school is out

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By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

chool will be out before you know it, and now is the time to discover summer activities for kids. Families have dozens of options to keep kids engaged during Houston’s sweltering summer months. The Defender has rounded up a selection of summer programs for your child.

FREE ACTIVITIES, ALL AGES

Children’s Museum of Houston – At Kidtropolis, children can choose to be a veterinarian, a postal worker, or master the stock exchange. The younger ones can run amuck at the Tot Spot and enjoy a world made at their eye level. Beginning May 24 the museum offers Summer of Epic Adventure-The Sequel with action-packed activities.

Admission is free for children under 1 and museum members and on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: 1500 Binz Info: cmhouston.org Houston Museum of Natural Sci- The Children’s Museum Summer of Epic Adventure invites kids to put their “super powers” to the test alongside “superheroes.” ence – Roar with the dinosaurs in the new Paleontology Hall at the Houston Discovery Green – Activities include a night Museum of Natural Science. The Afrisummer movie series, select days designated as can safari exhibit is fierce and the gems sparkle.

Toddler Time throughout the summer, kayak on Free, Thursdays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Kinder Lake, or Flea by Night. Whether it’s fun Location: 5555 Hermann Park Dr. in the water or on land, Houston’s favorite downInfo: hmns.org town family destination park has it all.

Traders Village – Houston’s largest flea Location: 1500 McKinney market has 100 acres of booths. They host music Info: discoverygreen.com and festivals each weekend and have rides, food, The Splash Pad at Ervan Chew Park – In and a fun atmosphere. addition to the dog park, playscapes for toddlers Location: 7979 N. Eldridge Pkwy. and for big kids, ball fields, and a basketball Info: tradersvillage.com court, Ervan Chew offers up a splash pad, a large Heritage Society – Some of the oldest buildground level fountain that kids can run through ings in Houston have been relocated to this site. and wear themselves out while parents watch It’s quite the experience to view these historic from a close but dry distance.

Think of it as a structures in the shadows of the shiny new skyTexas-sized take on the sprinkler in the yard. scrapers of today. Open Tuesday to Sunday and Location: 4502 Dunlavy always free. Guided tours available for $15 for Info: houstontx.gov/parks/aquatics/watersprayadults, $6 for kids 6 to 18, and 5 and under are grounds.html free.

Summer Children’s Series at Studio Movie Location: 1100 Bagby Grill – Take in a kid’s flick with your family and Info: heritagesociety.org

Summ activities enjoy deep discounts. Shows are weekdays at 11 a.m. and tickets are practically free at just $2 for adults and $1 for kids.

Location: Varies Info: studiomoviegrill.com Kids Bowl Free – Take part in this national campaign by signing your kids up for two free games every day this summer at local bowling centers around Houston and neighboring cities.

Location: Varies Info: kidsbowlfree.com Houston Public Library – It’s easy to overlook the public libraries in a city with so many attractions, but don’t forget these little gems. Each neighborhood library has special summer programs for kids of all ages that are free or very low cost. Some events include petting zoos, live crocodile and lizard visits, and Gymboree.

Location: Varies Info: houstonlibrary.org

Apple Camp – Learn how to use your Apple gadget at camp.

Kids ages 8 to 12 can learn everything about iMovie for free over a three-day camp at the Apple Stores.

Location: Varies Info: apple.com/retail/camp/notify.html

EDUCATIONAL CAMPS

University of Houston Camps – Offers a variety of camp courses for computer, foreign language, science, writing and technology classes.

Ages: 7-17 Dates: June 9-July 18

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The Ensemble Theatre’s Young Performers Dianelle King, Katlynn Smith, Joshua Bolden and Raiya Goodman joined the professional cast as munchkins in “The Wiz.”

mmer for kidS

ost: $779 weekly, extended day $999 weekly, overnight $1249 weekly ocation: University of Houston campuses nfo: compucamp2014.com D.R.E.M.E. Summer STEM Academy – The academy is nine-day learning program for students entering 6th thru 12th rades in the fall 2014. Students will attend learning exploring the heme, “STEM-OVATION 2014″ through investigating robotics, nergy, space exploration, health and the environment.

Dates: July 28-Aug. 1, Aug. 4-7 ost: Unavailable ocation: Texas Southern University nfo: dremefoundation.org

ALL-ENCOMPASSING PROGRAMS

Houston Parks & Recreation Department – The parks epartment has dozens of activities for area youth, including track nd field, golf, swimming, ges: 4-18 Dates: Year-round ost: Varies, and many activities are free ocation: Varies nfo: houstontx.gov/parks/ Camp Innovation – Offers sports activities, field trips, arts nd crafts, swimming, and scatter ball, along with learning opporunities in two Houston locations. ges: 3-13 Dates: June 1-Aug 6

he Houston area for over 80 years the Houston area for over 80 years

Houston Zoo Camp Zoofari participants enjoy an art project during a class on understanding bats and their benefit to the environment.

Cost: $155 a week Location: 2405 Navigation Blvd.

Info: campinnovation.com/ YMCA – Offers a variety of activities and locations. Children will have the opportunity to play games, explore science and enjoy technology, arts and crafts, field trips and swimming. A Family Camp is also available at the Resident Camp-Camp Cullen YMCA facility.

Ages: 5-11 for Day Camp, for 12-15 Teen Camp Dates: Weekly Sessions June 10-Aug. 23 Cost: Facility members, $120; program members, $150 Location: Varies Info: ymcahouston.org SHAPE Community Center Summer Youth Enrichment Program – Provides life skills, cultural, recreational, homework assistance and academic enrichment activities for school-aged children Ages: 5-15 Dates: June 9-Aug. 15 Cost: Call 713-521-0641 Location: 3815 Live Oak Info: shape.org Houston Zoo’s Camp Zoofari – Campers learn about animals, nature and wildlife conservation.

The hands-on activities include feeding the giraffes, brushing the goats and petting snakes and lizards.

Artistic kids can sign up for wildlife photography or wild art, a camp devoted to sculpting, drawing and sketching animals and nature.

Ages: 4-12 Dates: June 2-Aug. 8 Cost: Half day, $140; full day $240 Location: Houston Zoo Info: houstonzoo.org/education/camp-zoofari/

SPORTS CAMPS

CampWil 81 Summer Football Camp – Texas 4A Division state championship winning coach Lydell Wilson will host the first annual camp for elementary and middle school boys. On the Gridiron, every second counts so give your little tike an edge. Space is limited and early enrollment is encouraged.

Ages: Boys grades 1-8 Dates: June 9-12

Cost: $100 Location: Katy Seven Lakes High Info: campwil81.com Velocity-Nike Sports Summer Camps – Coaches, professional athletes, and all-American student athletes have come together to offer the best quality training for specific sports.

Ages: 6-14 Dates: Sports training is offered in football, basketball and softball Cost: Non-member, $325; sibling, $275. Member, $275; sibling $225.

Location: 10535 Jones Road Info: velocitysp.com/cyfair/sports_camps

MUSIC/ART/WRITING

Ensemble Theatre Young Performers Program – Designed for young people wanting to explore their creative and artistic talents. Since 1983, more than 3,000 Houston-area youth, including some who are now professionals on Broadway, film and television, have participated in the program, which combines the study of theater, dance, music, arts education, technical, creative dramatics and performance.

Ages: 6-17 Dates: Various four-week sessions, June 2-July 26/ Pre-k program June 3-7 Cost: $600, extended day additional $100 Location: 3535 Main St. Info: ensemblehouston.com or 713-807-4309 Rice University Creative Writing Camp – Offers a supportive environment where children engage in writing stories, poetry, essays, and plays, as well as simply reading for pleasure.

Children discover the joy in writing, the intrigue of language, and the confidence of authorship.

Students will work with teachers and writers, and the low teacher-student ratios ensure individual attention. Workshops end with a culminating performance and/or reading, and each child will receive an anthology with their published work.

Ages: Students who will enroll in grades K-12 in fall 2014.

Cost: $495 Location: Varies Info: literacy.rice.edu/slc/creative-writing-camp

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Families receive digital literacy training

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because there are still too many low-income families right here in Houston who are not currently participating in the digital world.” omcast recently announced “Thanks to community leaders and it is providing $25,000 in schools throughout the greater Houston area, grants to non-profit commore than 14,000 families now have the munity organizations in opportunity to use the power of the Internet Pasadena to create an Internet at home to get ahead in work, education, and Essentials Learning Zone. life, just by doing things online that many Community partners play a critical role of us take for granted, such as completing in enhancing broadband technology access homework, applying for a job, researching a as well as offering family-focused digital health condition, or paying a bill,” said Ralph literacy training.

Martinez, senior vice president of Comcast’s Neighborhood Centers Inc. and the Houston region.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters received grants “Together, with partners like these, we totaling $25,000. Through the learning zone, are making real and significant progress in the non-profit partners will work together closing the digital divide in America.” to enhance Internet access and offer digital Internet Essentials provides broadband literacy training. service for $9.95 a month plus tax, the option The grants in Pasadena will enable the Adult learners participate in Internet Essentials digital literacy training at the Neighborhood to purchase an Internet-ready computer for community partners to create a continuum of Centers Cleveland-Ripley Center. under $150, and multiple options to access connectivity that begin in the classroom with more than 1.2 million low-income Americans, or 300,000 free digital literacy training in print, online, wired schools, follow the students to wired families, to the power of broadband Internet. This inand in-person. libraries, wired computer centers, and wired after-school cludes more than 14,000 families in the greater Houston Eligible families must have at least one child eligible programs, and end in wired homes when the day is done. area. to participate in the National School Lunch Program, Additionally, Comcast has extended its Internet “Initiatives like Internet Essentials are helping to including public, parochial, private, and homeschool Essentials national broadband adoption program for lowclose the digital divide one family at a time,” said Oriana students. income families beyond the initial three-year voluntary Garcia, senior director of community development at For more information visit InternetEssentials.com or commitment.

Neighborhood Centers. “But we still have work to do call 1-855-846-8376.

In two and a half years, the initiative has connected Defender News Services

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Houston Black chamber names president Defender News Services

Following a nationwide search for a top executive, the Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) announced the selection of Leonard James III as its new president.

“Mr. James’ experience, business acumen, and service to the AfricanAmerican community made him a standout among our candidates,” said board chair Vernita Harris.

“His work has been recognized on a local and national level by corporations and community organizations of the highest stature and we are honored to have him at the helm of the chamber.”

James is the founder, CEO, and chief strategist of the J3 Advisory Group, a Houston-based communications and relationship-building consulting firm.

His corporate career includes a variety of assignments for Exxon Mobil Corporation, from which he retired after 38 years. He most recently served as corporate policy advisor, where he directed minority community outreach and advocacy initiatives.

“The opportunities for the Greater Houston Black Chamber are boundless,” James said. “The African-American business community is on the verge of a period of exceptional growth and prosperity and it

FBISD principals of the year named Defender News Services

Deidra LyonsLewis of Hodges Bend Middle School has been named secondary principal of the year by Fort Bend ISD and Eugene Dupont of Colony Meadows Elementary is elementary principal Deidra Lyons-Lewis of the year.

They were chosen by their peers based on leadership, service and dedication to students, faculty and staff.

“I am honored to be named the principal of the year,” Lyons-Lewis said, “although I am but Eugene Dupont a reflection of the talented people in the district.

Throughout my years in FBISD, I have been taught, groomed and challenged by the best to always do what is best for our children and community.”

Lyons-Lewis, who comes from a family of educators, is a 19-year veteran in education and has led the faculty and staff at Hodges Bend for the past two years.

While in FBISD, she has served as associate principal, assistant principal, guidance coun-

selor, special education teacher, director of staffing and secondary staffing coordinator.

Dupont’s mother was a teacher. He has worked in education for 35 years, devoting 27 of those years to FBISD. He has served as a principal, assistant principal and teacher at five FBISD schools.

“This distinction is even more important to me because it is a reflection of all elementary principals in our outstanding district,” Dupont said. “To be honored by your peers is a very humbling experience.”

Dupont added that his greatest success as a principal has been seeing the accomplishments that students make each day on campus.

FBISD covers 170 square miles and has 74 campuses, with 11 high schools, 14 middle schools and 45 elementary schools. It is one of the most culturally diverse school districts in Texas, and its students speak more than 90 languages and dialects.

is my hope and expectation that the chamber will lead the way.”

James is former board chairman of the National Black MBA Association and a member of the NAACP board of directors and its executive committee. He is past president of the University of Houston Athletic Foundation and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

A native of Tuscumbia, Ala., he received a bachelor’s degree in statistics from the University of Alabama and an MBA from Louisiana State University.

GHBC, formerly the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce, was established in 1935.

“To be honored by your peers is a very humbling experience.”

Eugene Dupont

Leonard James III

classified Neighborhood Centers Inc. (AGENCY),

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A non-profit human services organization, announces a Request for Proposal (RFP) #14-06 for Office Supplies & Related Products.

Interested Vendors can submit a proposal for RFP #14-06 Office Supplies & Related Products. The deadline for submitting a proposal is Wednesday, May 28, 2014 by 12:00 p.m. (CST). To receive RFP #14-06, e-mail Ashia Brown, Supply Chain Manager, at abrown@neighborhood-centers.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC. ENCOURAGES SMALL AND HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES TO APPLY.

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Astros, MLB celebrate Jackie Robinson Day

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The late, great Jackie Robinson is recognized each year in April.

By MAX EDISON Defender

he Houston Astros along with all of Major League Baseball recently celebrated Jackie Robinson Day. Sixty-seven years ago, Robinson broke MLB’s color barrier on April 15, 1947, starting at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers vs. the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field.

Players throughout baseball wear Robinson’s retired No. 42 on their jerseys each year in tribute to his legacy. Robinson’s 42 remains the only number retired by any major professional sports league.

MLB started the observance in 2004, which was when his number was retired throughout the sport by Commissioner Bud Selig, who has often said that Robinson’s breaking of the color barrier was baseball’s proudest moment.

Locally, the Astros sponsored a pregame reception which featured African-American players and coaches, as well as representatives from the team’s Urban Youth Academy. The game’s first pitch was thrown out

by Shawn Taylor, a member of the Astros ownership group.

Black players were quick to acknowledge the significance of the day.

“His legacy to me is huge,” centerfielder Dexter Fowler said. “Without Jackie we wouldn’t be here. With him coming through and doing what he did the way he did it, God couldn’t have put a better person in that situation.”

Newly acquired pitcher Jerome Williams personalized the legacy of No. 42.

“As a baseball player Jackie’s legacy means everything to me,” Williams said. “I grew up in Hawaii, but my dad grew up in Brooklyn so he used to always talk about Jackie. Just to be wearing this number on my back today means a lot to me.”

For a young player like outfielder L.J. Hoes, the Robinson Day tribute is a sign that a player has made it to the big leagues.

“I think the younger players understand the significance of the day,” Hoes said. “This will be my first Jackie Robinson Day in the majors, so it’s extra special to me. I was talking to Adam Jones [Orioles] earlier about the day and he was telling me about how significant the day is and how much it means to him.

“He reminded me if you get a chance to play today remember you’re not playing for yourself or the Astros, but you’re representing Jackie Robinson and that’s special.”

For manager Bo Porter the day has special meaning.

“We all understand the mental strain that comes with playing this great sport that we love, but to receive hate mail and death threats and made to feel uncomfortable and still have the will and desire to go out and perform every day at the level he performed at speaks volumes to the man Jackie Robinson was,” Porter said.

“When Jackie Robinson was going through what he was going through each and every day he didn’t look in the mirror and say ‘I’m doing this for myself.’ He did what he was able to do because he knew other people were going to benefit from it – people like myself, the gentlemen standing behind me and the young people sitting in front of me.”

Porter shared a favorite quote by Robinson that everyone regardless of occupation or ethnicity can consider: “What good is a life except for the impact it has on other people?”

Astros manager Bo Por

ter speaks during a pre

Astros Urban Representatives of the

game reception.

celebration.

Youth Academy join the

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Joshua Burrell no stranger to success

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By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

bonded together because we’re all so good at the things we do,” Burrell said. “Almost every single organization on campus from student council to football, golf, and nearly every single sport is doing a very good job. We have a whole bunch of district championships.

“We’re just at a point where we’re thriving right now,” Burrell said. “So it would mean a lot to win the regional and carry that momentum to the state meet.”

After mulling over several scholarship offers, Burrell has decided to attend the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD next fall and play football (offensive track star Kirsten Ball lineman and possibly running back).

“I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go at first, but I thought I was under-recruited in football,” Burrell said. “The Navy coaches told me to come with an open mind and when I visited there I really liked the guys and the facilities.

“I think it will be a good opportunity for me to mature and find out about myself,” Burrell said. “I’ll get a chance to buckle down and challenge myself.”

Burrell earns mostly “Bs” in his AP courses now but said he can do better. He plans to apply himself even more in his college studies.

He believes in the old adage that success breeds success.

oshua Burrell was introduced to sports by his father Leroy, a former Olympic sprinter and world record holder in the 100-meter dash.

He remembers his parents wanting him to experience a wide realm of sports at an early age and choosing which ones he liked best. He finally settled on football along with track and field.

At the recent District 22-4A track and field meet, Burrell and his Meet Ridge Point Ridge Point High School teammates had a score to settle. A year earlier, Fort Bend Marshall had edged the Ridge Point boys by six points for the team title.

Burrell had to miss the meet while recovering from knee surgery.

A favorite to claim both the district shot put and discus events, Burrell was in mid-season form while awaiting the rematch.

“They [FB Marshall] kind of went to extremes with their celebrating last year,” Burrell said. “As a team we wanted to get back at them and I knew that I could make a difference this time around.

We were just waiting for our chance.”

Ridge Point claimed both the boys’ and girls’ team titles at the 2014 District 22-4A meet and it wasn’t even close. Now the Panthers will be one of the favorites to win a regional title at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville April 25-26.

Burrell said that success is part of a current trend at the Fort Bend ISD school.

“Winning the reRidge Point High School’s Joshua gional title would be huge Burrell excels in the shot put and because the kids at Ridge discus. He is the son of Leroy Burrell, Point High School have a former Olympic sprinter and

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About Joshua Burrell Birth date: March 3, 1996 Birth sign: Pisces Favorite subject: Choir College major: Information technology Favorite color: Mint Favorite meal: Fajitas Favorite athlete: Arian Foster His hero: Muhammad Ali

Clements wins soccer title It was the crowning moment of 25 years of coaching boys’ soccer at Clements High School. Head coach Todd Ericson watched his Rangers subdue defending champion Coppell 3-0 in the Class 5A title game at Georgetown’s Birkelbach Field to overcome years of playoff disappointments. Santiago Padruno, Alejandro Saez and Trinidad Luna scored goals for Clements, whose only other state appearance (2006) ended in the state semifinal round. The past three years had seen Clements lose in either the second or third round of the playoffs. Padruno gave the Rangers the lead for good at the 20-minute mark, redirecting a Kevin Matthews throw-in near the box. The win marks the Houston area’s first UIL state soccer title since The Woodlands girls in 2010.

Houston area teams had lost four consecutive title games until Clements prevailed. Clements (23-2-3) dedicated their season to the mother of sophomore defender teammate Bradley Rivenes, who has a rare form of liver cancer that was discovered 18 months ago. “I’m overwhelmed for my guys and the work they put in,” Ericson said. “This is for them and all my players over the past 25 years.”

Track regional meets on tap High school track and field competitors from schools throughout the greater Houston area will be in action with hopes of qualifying for the state meet in Austin (May 9-10). Class 5A schools will be at Humble’s Turner Stadium (April 25-26) while 4A schools will compete in Huntsville over the same two days.

Strahan goes to ‘GMA’ It’s been a big year for Texas Southern University alum Michael Strahan. He received his invitation to the NFL Hall of Fame earlier this year in the city that made him famous, New York. “His morning show, “Live! With Kelly & Michael,” continues to blow the roof off the ratings. Now the guy who made the tooth gap fashionable has another job. He officially joined the cast of “Good Morning America.”

With the new role, Strahan now qualifies as one of the hardest working men in television. In the fall he is a member of the Fox NFL pre/post game team.

That’s three jobs!

‘Hurricane’ Carter dies Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, the former boxer who was wrongly imprisoned for murder, died April 20 at the age of 76 after a bout with prostate cancer.

Carter, a promising middleweight fighter in the ‘60s, compiled a record of 27-12-1 with 19 knockouts. His nickname was derived from his fierce, aggressive style combined with knockout power. His notoriety came not from the ring, where he was a worthy pugilist, but because he was wrongfully convicted of murdering three white people during a bar robbery in Paterson, N.J. He was convicted twice by all-white juries largely on the testimony of two thieves who later recanted their stories. He served 19 years in prison before the verdict was finally overturned. In 1999 Denzel Washington played Carter in a movie depicting his life. “The Hurricane” garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

University of Houston track coach.

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