Two months ago, Houston’s own Beyoncé dropped Cécred, her line of hair care products designed to treat textured hair. And while most fans couldn’t wait to get their hands on all of that shampoo and conditioning goodness, of course, the haters hated. Social media lit up with folks criticizing Bey for not demonstrating the products in the frst batch of visuals. And others argued that they wouldn’t trust her with their haircare because she wears wigs. Usually, Bey rises above the comments and doesn’t dignify them, but this time, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer decided to silence the haters with a simple “watch me wash” video. Te April 22 Instagram post, which received over two million likes in 24 hours, showed the singer getting what is clearly her natural hair washed, blow dried, fat ironed and curled using products from her line. And in the voiceover (yes, there is a voiceover), Bey talks about how much she loves the feel and smell of the products. She also took a moment to address the stigma and misconception that people who wear wigs don’t have long and healthy hair, calling that thinking, “Bullsh*t.” Bey also let users know that her products were carefully developed out of her own experience and are meant to help people maintain healthy hair. Bottom line, the Queen has spoken....carry on.
ReShonda Tate
Turkey Leg Hut. Hopefully, Nakia Holmes and her team can rebrand and restore the legacy of this Tird Ward staple.
Why we can’t aford to ignore Donald Trump
While Turkey Leg Hut (TLH) founder Nakia Holmes is trying to rebuild/rebrand her extremely popular business, her former partner is making that difcult. Holmes wants to make it clear that her estranged husband, Lyndell Price, is no longer afliated with the Turkey Leg Hut. But where goes Price (and all his drama), so goes his connection to the Turkey Leg Hut. Last week, Price was in the news because of drama with his pop-up Oyster Hut (which he set up afer being fred from TLH). Now, Price is making news again, accused of assaulting a man during a February bar fght, according to court documents. Price, 42, was charged with misdemeanor assault in connection to the fght, which police said lef a man unconscious and with a knee injury, at a neighboring business. A warrant was issued for his arrest. Price, wearing an Oyster Hut shirt, appeared recently in the County Criminal Court at Law #12 alongside his attorney Robert Alton Jones to turn himself in. Jones said the fght at the Tipsy Lounge, down the street from the Turkey Leg Hut, was not as it seemed. Te judge ordered Price to stay away from the Tipsy Lounge and set his bail at $1,000 on the misdemeanor charge. All the negative attention really is a shame because I love seeing Black businesses thrive and no one can deny the success of the
So, this topic elicited a lot of debate amongst the Defender team. Some of my colleagues want us to ignore the tomfoolery that accompanies Donald Trump’s quest for the presidency. I beg to difer. And since, this is MY column, I’ll explain why... It’s tempting to dismiss voices that seem extreme or outlandish, whether they come from former presidents or fringe groups. However, ignoring fgures like Donald Trump and the segments of the Black community who support him, would be a grave mistake. To overlook their infuence is to neglect a signifcant portion of the populace and to disregard the underlying issues that fuel their fervor. Like it or not (and I don’t), Donald Trump remains a powerful force in American politics. Despite his departure from the White House, his impact lingers, shaping the narratives and strategies of both major parties. His unorthodox approach to governance and communication style have lef an indelible mark on the political landscape. Ignoring him won’t make him disappear; rather, it risks leaving his rhetoric unchallenged and his followers unchecked. Tis debate came up because of a rap video called “My Black President” about Trump. Yes, we know there are some Black folks who jump on the Trump train because it’s the only way they’ll get any attention. But there are some Black people who don’t follow politics, who buy into the headlines, who think ‘Trump bought milkshakes at ChickFil-A so he’s down with us,’ who will bob their heads to the beat of that rap song, and then say, “You know, he’s got a point” and walk into the ballot box and cast their vote for Trump. Simply writing of those who express them as “crazy” or irrelevant only exacerbates the divisions within society and perpetuates the cycle of polarization. We need to foster dialogue and understanding rather than resorting to dismissiveness and disdain.
And trust, I know that’s not easy.
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In the latest example of why voting matters, the Republican-dominated Texas Supreme Court, as expected, temporarily blocked Harris County ofcials from sending fnancial assistance to needy families under a new program (Uplif Harris) — the day before families were slated to begin receiving the money.
Justices granted Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to halt the payments while a legal fght over the county’s guaranteed income pilot program continues. This means the roughly 1,900 households residing in the county’s poorest neighborhoods who were slated to begin receiving monthly, no-strings-attached cash payments of $500 on April 24, will have to wait and see if the program will live on or die at the hands of GOP lawmakers and state justices.
“I am incredibly disappointed in today’s ruling,” said County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “This frivolous lawsuit was a broadside attack on Harris County families struggling to make ends meet by state extremists and a hyper-partisan Texas Supreme Court. Now 1,900 working families who were expecting to have their lives changed have been robbed of a critical hand-up. We will not be deterred. We will continue to fght for those 1,900 families, and every one of the 750,000 people living
under the crushing weight of poverty in Harris County.”
“It’s unfortunate the court would take such an extraordinary step to block a program that would help people in Harris County — even temporarily,” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said in a statement afer the ruling.
Earlier in the week, Uplif Harris supporters were celebrating two court rulings that blocked Paxton’s attempts to end the guaranteed income pilot program.
Last week, 165th District Court Judge Ursula Hall rejected Paxton’s claims that the program, which would provide $500 for nearly 2,000 low-income families for 18 months, used public money “in a manner that violates the Texas Constitution.” Te funding would have come from the American Rescue Plan Act. And afer a diverse coalition of community leaders, activists, elected ofcials and concerned citizens, led by NAACP Houston, called for Harris County’s guaranteed income pilot program (Uplif Houston) to be saved from the chopping block, an appellate judge on April 22 rejected State Attorney General Ken Paxton’s appeal to have Uplif Houston blocked.
“I think what this means is the 14th Court of Appeals said, ‘We don’t buy your argument, Ken Paxton’,” said Harris County
Defender Network
Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) has seen a signifcant increase in female representation on its board of directors. Mayor John Whitmire solidifed his METRO overhaul by appointing a groundbreaking trio to the board, including the frst Vietnamese American woman Judge Kathy Han, Reverend Terry Leon Preston II, and community advocate Chad McMillan. Additionally, Terry Morales was reappointed to the board, marking a pivotal moment for diversity and inclusion in the city’s transportation leadership.
Whitmire expressed his pride in making history with his METRO appointees, emphasizing their ability to represent diverse communities and bring varied experiences to the table. Recognizing the importance of accessibility for all, Whitmire highlighted the value of having a board that refects the demographics of the Houston region.
Attorney Christian Menefee, who viewed the April 22 ruling as “good news.”
However, the Texas Supreme Court ruling hit Uplif Harris and its participants with another roadblock.
Just days before the Texas Supreme Court ruling, said the Commissioners Court was still planning for the money to be distributed as scheduled.
“Ken Paxton has lost again in his merciless crusade to rob families working hard to make ends meet of critical support through Uplift Harris,” Ellis said in a statement. “1,900 families living under the crushing weight of poverty are expecting to have their lives changed this week, and rest assured, we will send out $500 payments, unless the Texas Supreme Court orders us otherwise.”
On April 19, NAACP Houston called together a coalition of individuals and organizations that stood in support of Uplif Houston and urged county and state ofcials to do the same.
“We believe [Uplif Harris] is a public policy that makes moral sense and it makes sense from the humanitarian perspective, be you Democrat or Republican, Black, white or Brown or Asian or other,” said Dr. James Dixon, head of NAACP Houston. “We believe that this is one of the greatest demonstrations of human compassion coming from a public entity in some time.”
Te role of METRO’s board of directors is crucial in guiding decision-making processes to enhance the public transportation system and make it a more appealing option for travel across Houston. Te appointments made by Whitmire were swiftly approved by city council members during a recent council meeting, with little discussion. Following their approval, the new members were sworn in by METRO Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock.
Earlier this year, Houston city council members passed a resolution naming Brock as the board chair of METRO, making her the frst Hispanic woman to lead the state’s largest transit authority board. Her appointment signifies a significant milestone in the organization’s history and underscores the city’s commitment to promoting diversity in leadership roles.
Members of the METRO board serve two-year terms and can serve up to eight years, ensuring continuity and stability in decision-making processes.
Dr. Robert Bullard, the namesake of Texas Southern University’s (TSU) Bullard Center for Environmental & Climate Justice, could have been anywhere on the planet for Earth Day 2024 (April 22).
As the “Father of the Environmental Justice Movement,” Bullard is rarely on TSU’s Tird Ward, Houston campus because he is constantly in demand to share his environmental justice insights with a world facing nonstop ecological assaults.
But he chose to stay home this Earth Day. And for good reason.
Not only did the Bullard Center create an Earth Day program to educate elementary students about the importance of protecting the environment, but news had just broke that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $156 million grant to an initiative designed to provide community solar and energy resiliency infrastructure to low-income communities in southern and southeastern states. And that grant was given to two Texas entities – Te Clean Energy Fund of Texas and the Bullard Center.
Te grant, through the EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s “Solar For All” program, is one of the largest grants awarded of its kind.
“Tis funding will change the course of solar energy and equity across Texas and the South,” said Bullard, distinguished professor of urban planning and environmental policy and director of the Bullard Center. “Southern states bear a disproportionate burden of high energy costs and climate pollution and now – with this funding – we can turn the tide.”
Tis proposal contains signifcant equity components. It targets the deployment of solar and battery resources
anchored at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Te application covers multiple states, mainly in the U.S. South, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic, including Washington, DC.
Tis joint project from the Clean Energy Fund of Texas and the Bullard Center includes a Southeastern Regional Community Solar Network that seeks to engage up to 70 “Minority Serving Institutions” to deploy up to an estimated 172 megawatts of community solar and 84-megawatt hours of energy storage in low-income, disadvantaged communities. Te universities will use up to 50% of the clean power on-site, with the remaining power available to local communities.
“We are grateful to the EPA for selecting this multifaceted project as part of the Infation Reduction Act and the Solar For All program,” said Billy Briscoe, executive vice president and chief operating ofcer for the Clean Energy Fund of Texas and an HBCU graduate himself. “Tis partnership with minority-serving institutions of higher education will lower energy burden for low-income communities, jumpstart the green economy with the creation of jobs through workforce training programs, and provide energy resiliency afer a climate event.”
Te program will result in hundreds of millions of dollars of wealth creation in the afected communities and private capital mobilization.
But even with the big news about the major funding gif, Bullard was equally excited about the students he was able to address during TSU’s Earth Day program.
“Te title of this talk is ‘Why I’m Proud to be at Texas Southern University this Earth Day.’ And I want to celebrate it with young people,” said Bullard to an auditorium full of 2nd – 4th graders from Alief ISD’s Holmquist Elementary.
Houston area residents are heading to the polls again as early voting kicks of for the May 4 countywide appraisal district elections and various local races in the greater Houston area. Tis marks the debut of countywide elections for appraisal district board members, adding to the signifcance of the event.
TEXAS SENATE DISTRICT 15
One of the races on the May 4 ballot is the one for the Senate seat that Houston Mayor John Whitmire used to hold. Democrats State Rep. Jarvis Johnson and emergency room nurse Molly Cook will compete for that seat for the remaining eight months of the term. Te May 28 election is then the primary to try to move on to the November election where the winner will take on Joseph Trahan.
HCAD BOARD
Voters in Harris, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Fort Bend counties are tasked with electing three members to their respective counties’ appraisal boards. Tis election stems from a contentious
EARLY VOTING
7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Monday-Saturday Noon-7 p.m. Sunday Ends April 30. For information on early voting centers and to preview sample ballots for Harris County, visit harrisvotes.com.
new measure established by a state constitutional amendment passed in November.
HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT CANDIDATES
Place 1
Kathy Blueford Daniels
Ramsey Isa Ankar
Era Ford
Bill R. Frazer
Place 2
Janice W. Hines
Melissa Noriega
Kyle Scott
Jevon German
Austin Pooley
Place 3
James Bill
Amy Lacy
Melody G. Ellis
Mark V. Goloby
Pelumi Adeleke
Ericka McCrutcheon
WHAT IS THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT AND WHY ARE SO MANY CANDIDATES RUNNING?
By Laura Onyeneho
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles has issued directives urging schools to prioritize daily lessons over direct State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test preparation.
In his weekly email to principals, Miles emphasized the importance of focusing on the curriculum and quality instruction rather than overemphasizing standardized testing. Miles’ email instructed principals to ensure that teachers concentrate on daily lesson objectives, known as Demonstrations of Learning (DoL) while discouraging excessive test preparation activities.
“Neither the STAAR exams nor the NWEA and EOY assessments should be overemphasized for teachers and students,” Miles wrote in his email. “Teachers should focus on the curriculum and the quality of instruction. Students should focus on the (Demonstrations of Learning) and learning the objective for the day every day.”
Miles advised against using intensive test preparation techniques, such as repeated assessments, to prepare students for the STAAR or NWEA examinations while permitting direct instruction and some diferentiated instruction to review important ideas.
Te move away from an over-reliance on test prep is consistent with the long-standing worries
expressed by parents and educators in the Houston Independent School District about the overemphasis on standardized testing. Critics argue that this emphasis removes important curricular requirements and meaningful classroom learning experiences.
One HISD math teacher who opted to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation was concerned if this decision would impact the test scores.“We want our students to be as prepared as possible and to keep what they are learning fresh in their minds in time for the exam,” the teacher said. “I thought the whole point is to improve test scores so we focus on getting our elected board of trustees back to represent us again.”
Standardized testing has important practical ramifcations for HISD, as test results are a major factor in schools’ statewide accountability ratings. Tese ratings then impact how administrators and instructors are evaluated, which in turn afects things like salary and job security.
Te STAAR test scores from the previous year highlighted HISD’s difculties, and Miles admitted to performing below par. Pointing out data demonstrating diferences in reading ability, Miles underlined the need for development, especially in elementary and middle school.
Imagine experiencing persistent pain, debilitating fatigue or concerning new symptoms, only to be told by a doctor that you’re overreacting. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a dramatic plot device - it’s a harsh reality for many women and minorities navigating the healthcare system.
A concerning trend reveals a significant disparity in diagnoses: women and minorities are far more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to white men. This isn’t just anecdotal; studies paint a clear picture. A recent Johns Hopkins University study found that women were 20% more likely to experience a misdiagnosis, and racial and ethnic minorities faced an even higher risk, with rates 30% higher than white men.
These misdiagnoses can have devastating consequences, leading to delayed treatment, unnecessary procedures, and even worsening of the underlying condition.
Medicine has a long and troubled history of racial and gender-based bias. A 2016 study published in a medical journal revealed that nearly half of first and second-year medical students subscribed to the myth that Black people feel less pain than white people. This prejudice has its origins in the horrors of the 19th century, where enslaved Black people were subjected to barbaric experiments to justify racist ideologies.
Dr. James Marion Sims, considered the “father of gynecology,” performed surgeries on enslaved Black women without anesthesia. This not only inflicted unimaginable suffering but also shaped a distorted view of pain tolerance in Black women, a view that persists today. Critics argue that medical ethicists and historians criticized Sims for using enslaved Black bodies as test subjects, prioritizing experiments over treatment.
Sexual and reproductive abuse of enslaved Black women and their partners was a common kind of race-based cruelty throughout the 246-year captivity (1619–1865), which frequently resulted in sanctioned exploitation. Not only were women and girls enslaved, but they also had no control
over their sexuality, were frequently sexually abused, and their reproductive rights were prohibited.
During an interview on New Hampshire Public Radio, Dr. Colene Arnold, a gynecologist who specializes in pelvic pain, and Dr. Keisha Ray, assistant professor at the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics, part of the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, shared their takes on the history, and personal biases that contribute to these disparities we see today.
She added, “I was told I could not get surgery to remove this ‘fibroid’ due to my lack of blood supply…They recommended I do a biopsy.” By the time she received her results, she had stage 3 cervical cancer.
Actress Kyla Pratt was candid about her experience being dismissed by care providers during an episode of the Daytime EmmyAward-winning series “Recipe for Change.”
the machine and said, ‘No, you weren’t,’ and I said, ‘Yes, I am. I’ve done this before; go get my doctor.’”
Her doctor told her that she was six centimeters dilated and had to do an emergency C-section.
“There’s an assumption that Black women don’t know their bodies,” she said. “They don’t understand, that they’re not educated about their bodies. And so there’s an assumption that what they’re coming and presenting with may not be the correct diagnosis.”
Dr. Ray agreed and said, “[Many in society hold] this idea that Black women have to be still weak and have to take pain and have to keep going and ignore that pain signal that their bodies are telling them. And so, when they enter a clinical setting, they hold on to this stoic attitude, and doctors mistake it for not being in pain. So, their pain is not treated adequately. They’re given ibuprofen or something rather than a recommendation, especially for a stronger pain medication.”
Pratt, a mother of two, shared her encounter with a dismissive care provider who disregarded her concerns during the birth of her second daughter.
“I remember for my second pregnancy, I went into labor early,” “The Proud Family” star said. “Being in the hospital, I told the nurse there I was having contractions; she looked at
“But because I was so small, it wasn’t showing up on the machine. In that moment, I didn’t recognize when people weren’t listening to me because I was young, because I am Black, because I am a woman.”
On March 11, beauty influencer Jessica Pettway died from cervical cancer. Pettway was initially diagnosed incorrectly to be suffering from fibroids.
In July 2023, she told her more than 158,000 Instagram followers that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Social media users were stunned by her death, particularly given that she was misdiagnosed numerous times. Before her condition got worse, doctors thought that her “intense vaginal bleeding” was a sign of fibroids.
All of these barriers to access need to be addressed. Providers may be unable to fix insurance, but policymakers should act fast. We shouldn’t be dealing with this in the richest country in the world.”
DR. OMOLOLA ADEPOJU, PH.D.“My Gyno made it seem like it was so normal and common,” explained Pettway in the post. “I didn’t think much of it. However, I was passing clots the size of a placenta, which was really alarming.”
DR. ADEPOJU SHARES WAYS BLACK WOMEN
CAN ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES
Dr. Omolola Adepoju, Ph.D., the director of research at the Humana Integrated Health Sciences Institute at the University of Houston, also experienced a similar situation during the pregnancy with her third child in 2018. She noticed some blood spotting and went to her doctor to run some tests. She was told that everything was fine, but Adepoju noticed how physically exhausted she was becoming, and it was well beyond the normal pregnancy exhaustion.
Adepoju broke down a few likely root causes of this problem.
“The first is we lack representation in medicine. Houston is a majority-minority city. Sixty percent of our residents identify as minority, but when you go into the hospitals, the ratios are predominately white,” she said. “The likelihood of finding a doctor with similar lived experiences and looks like you are very small.”
Overhauling an entire system will take a lot, so Black women must advocate for themselves and take some power back in the doctor’s office. Understand your body and what you consider to be normal. Learn the basic tests and procedures for different stages of your life, and don’t ignore pain.
“Fast-forward to 28 weeks, I was told the baby had to be taken out immediately. I knew something was wrong with me initially so I wasn’t surprised at their response,” she said. “When you hear stories like Serena Williams, this isn’t the issue about being underserved. It isn’t about me not being educated; something else is going on as to why my concerns are not being regarded.”
She also argues that healthcare providers should do more outreach to marginalized communities, especially when it comes to preventative checkups, and policymakers should share the responsibility. Texas has the highest rate of uninsured people in the country, double the national rate.
“It’s said that Black people are less likely to access care because they don’t trust the system, but what about if they don’t have healthcare? And many places don’t take Medicaid,” she said. “All these barriers to access need to be addressed. Providers may be unable to fix insurance, but policymakers should act fast. We shouldn’t be dealing with this in the richest country in the world.”
“When I go into the doctor’s office, I come ready with my list of priorities to review with my physician. I want to ensure I have some skin in the game,” Adepoju said. “It feels good participating in my own health.”
Tierney Malone has always been about that life – that arts life – whether as a visual artist, radio producer, host of KPFT’s “Houston Jazz Spotlight,” member of the Houston Jazz Collective (the group that birthed the annual Jazz Festival at Miller Outdoor Theater), creator of The Jazz Church of Houston museum/ exhibit/experience, or as a two-time Project Row Houses featured artist.
But to let Malone tell it, he’s simply a storyteller; a modern-day djeli (griot) passing on the rich art traditions and cultural stories of our people.
The Defender secured an exclusive interview with Malone who spoke about his passion for the art of jazz.
DEFENDER: Wheredoyoutrace yourstorytellerroots?
MALONE: I grew up at the feet of my grandmother, who was the griot of my family. She was the one who kept the stories of her family. And everyone around the country came to her house [in Shipman, Mississippi] when they were traveling across the country. So, when you had cats traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast, she was the stopover. And the same thing happened from the West Coast to the East Coast. So, I witnessed her telling the stories of our family history to those relatives. And she, of course, supported that to me. And I was just fascinated by those stories. That’s how I think I got the interest.
DEFENDER: Whendidyoufallin lovewithjazz?
MALONE: I grew up in a house with my mother and her four sisters, and they were all music lovers. And as varied as their personalities were, their musical interests were varied. So, I grew up listening to all kinds of music. I actually referred to my mother and her four sisters as the Mississippi Muses. So, when I left Mobile to go to TSU, I was greatly interested
in music. But it wasn’t until I got to TSU and had the opportunity to hear cats like one of my most important musical gurus, Steve Crain, that I fell in love with jazz. He had a radio show from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on KTSU (90.9FM). And during the middle of the day, he would have a section of his show called “The Bunch for Lunch,” and he would play one artist for two hours. That was the first time I had a chance to hear Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Miles Davis; albums of those cats. And I just fell in love with it. That’s how it began.
DEFENDER: How was theJazz Church ofHouston born?
“It wasn’t until I got to TSU and had the opportunity to hear cats like one of my most important musical gurus, Steve Crain, that I fell in love with jazz.”
TIERNEY MALONE
MALONE: When I was asked the second time to be a Project Row Houses artist, I was trying to decide what I wanted to do. All the musicians I’ve interviewed on the radio show would talk about two things. One: “We don’t have a museum that celebrates our amazing jazz history in this city.” Actually, we don’t have any major music museums in the city of Houston. But also, Jason Moran back in 2015 on NPR lamented that when he comes home, there’s not a serious venue that he can just roll into and hear cats or to jam with. So, I decided that I would create this action project called “The Jazz Church of Houston.” I modeled it after the Church of John Coltrane in San Francisco; a real church in San Francisco that uses John Coltrane’s music as a part of their
worship liturgy. I created a space that was a jazz museum during the daytime, and then in the evening time, I had these module walls that would pull away and it would become an intimate listening space for 40 people. I only intended to do five performances and focus on the museum aspect. But we ended up doing 26 performances over 19 weeks.
DEFENDER: Whyisitso importanttoyoutocontinueto celebrate this art form?
MALONE: Like I said, I celebrate the stories of our ancestors. Initially when I started that journey, I was trying to find my place in this “race story,” as you say. But over the
years, I’ve begun to see my ancestors in a new light. They were incredible individuals. I grew up loving comic books. And the stories I’ve discovered about my ancestors are just as incredible. Jazz is one of the products that these cats created. If it wasn’t for our struggle on this side of the world, none of the musical art forms, none of the art forms would exist. Celebrating jazz is a part of me celebrating the way our ancestors dealt with and challenged the struggles that they confronted and that we still confront. If you listen to my radio show (Houston Jazz Spotlight), it’s basically a story about our tribe, you know, now, and the struggles that we deal with to a jazz soundtrack.
Local author/publisher Lavaille Lavette has worked behind the scenes on some of the biggest books in recent memory, including iconic actress Viola Davis’s New York Times best-selling memoir “Finding Me.”
Lavette and Davis, along with Davis’s husband Julius Tennon, have teamed up again to make noise in the literary space. This time, Davis and Tennon are joining Lavette on the production side.
Davis and Tennon have made a name for themselves with JuVee Productions, an artist-driven, Los Angeles-based production company that develops and produces independent film, TV, theater, VR and digital content, best known for producing the smash hit movie “The Woman King.” Now, they’re set to have that same level of impact with the world of book publishing.
“This trailblazing company, JVL Media, is set to enhance the publishing landscape as a comprehensive independent publisher, while also forging strategic alliances with leading book publishing houses to deliver uniquely curated titles to a global readership,” said
Lavette, author of several children’s books, including “Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise.”
Lavette also brings her extensive experience as a publisher. She’s president and publisher of Ebony Publishing and the Ebony Podcast Network and authored the book celebrating Ebony’s 75th anniversary, “Ebony: Covering Black America.”
Davis, a member of the exclusive EGOT club (winners of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony), is openly excited about JVL’s potential.
“This endeavor embodies our collective aspiration—to champion and elevate voices that resonate with authenticity and are often overlooked,” said Davis. “Our mission is to interlace a rich mosaic of both fiction and non-fiction that not only stirs the imagination but also venerates the enduring heritage of storytellers from diverse walks of life.”
experiences over abstract theories. It offers readers an innovative and tangible leadership model ripe for implementation.
Tennon is looking forward to the new ground JVL plans to break.
“JVL Media transcends traditional publishing,” he said. “We’re nurturing a literary culture that echoes the soul of our society and propels us into the future with stories that matter.”
Anticipated fiction titles promise to enthrall readers with “New Hope” by Tanya Wright—a poignant saga of camaraderie interwoven with the complexities of sorrow and bliss—and “Black States of America” by D. E. Rogers, an inventive sci-fi epic that reimagines the trajectory of Black lives in an alternate reality forged by Lincoln’s survival.
“The Inclusion Leader” by Dr. Johné Battle, a visionary executive at Dollar General, redefines leadership paradigms, prioritizing proactive engagement and authentic
JVL’s debut slate presents a dynamic array of non-fiction and fiction books. “Had to Lose to Win: The Tiki Davis Story” by Tiki Davis narrates a journey of unyielding determination and the quest for self-reconstruction. Here, Tiki lays bare his hitherto concealed odyssey of resilience, becoming an emblem of hope and transformation.
“JVL Media stands as a beacon for inclusive and nuanced storytelling. We are wholeheartedly devoted to fostering joy, inspiring wonder, and unlocking the limitless power of literature to unite us all,” added Lavette.
In the fall of 2025, JVL Media will expand its literary repertoire to include an array of children’s books and young adult titles.
As your public health system, we’re here for those in need. In a region with so many unable to afford insurance, it’s a monumental responsibility. And a distinct privilege.
We provide all our patients exceptional medical, mental health, dental and vision care, along with vital outreach programs and resources.
Because it protects the health and safety of our entire community. Because it’s the right thing to do.
You may not know our name. And that’s okay.
YOU’LL KNOW US BY THE WORK WE DO.
Roughnecks cornerback Jimmy Moreland had five tackles, four of which were solo, to go with one tackle for a loss and a forced fumble in the 17-9 win over Arlington.
The Texas Southern baseball team swept Southern over the weekend to extend the Tigers’ winning streak to 10 games.
Championship and as a result made the All-SWAC First Team.
Nin Burns
TSU defeated Southern 6-4, 8-7 and 14-1 this past weekend to keep its winning streak going. Led by the bats of Nin Burns II, C.J. Castillo, Jaden Jones and Michael Goudeau – all hitting above .330 – the Tigers currently sit in first place in the SWAC West. They are back in action against Lamar in a non-conference showdown before hitting the road to face Grambling State, which sits in second in the West, for a three-game series over the weekend.
The Prairie View softball team dominating SWAC West
The Prairie View softball team is coming off a dominant win over Alcorn State in which the Panthers scored 11 runs in defeating the Braves, 11-7. The Panthers are led in the batters’ box by Aerin Talley (11 home runs on the season) and Jaylyn Davis (five home runs). The Panthers are second in the SWAC in batting with a .288 average but lead the conference with 27 home runs on the season. PV sits atop the SWAC West with a 19-1 league record and 24-17 overall as they get set to host Arkansas-Pine Bluff this weekend.
Aerin Talley
Former Astros prospect Ronny Garcia died in a traffic accident, along with his father, according to reports out of the Dominican Republic. Garcia, 24, joined the Astros organization as a pitching prospect in 2016. He was in the minors as recently as last year. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Astros prospect, Ronny Garcia,” the Astros said on X alongside a photo of Garcia. “Our condolences go out to his family and friends.”
Ronny Garcia
By Terrance HarrisThe Texans seem to be in a perfect –and unusual spot – heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
They are a team on the rise without any glaring needs but armed with enough draft capital to make some moves for the right player. Who can honestly say a year ago that they thought the struggling Texans would be in this position so soon?
But with nine picks – none of which are currently in the first round – spread between the second and seventh rounds, the Texans still have a chance to improve their roster, even after some big acquisitions this offseason that included trading for wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon and then adding pass rusher Danielle Hunter.
The Texans are in the desired position to be able to draft for a need or the best player available.
“Just because we’ve added guys at a lot of different positions, that doesn’t stop us from evaluating every position and looking at every avenue to continue to upgrade our team and continue to get our team better,” said second-year head coach DeMeco Ryans, who led the Texans to a stunning turnaround that included a 10-7 record, AFC
South title and AFC Wildcard win in the playoffs last season against the Cleveland Browns. “So, for the draft process, our process will be exactly the same. Who can we add to our team that adds value to our locker room and adds value to us on the field?”
That seems to be the million-dollar question, because as the draft order currently stands, the Texans don’t have a selection until the second round, where they have two picks (42nd and 59th) in the NFL Draft that starts Thursday and lasts through Saturday in Detroit. The pre-draft consensus seems to be the Texans will look to add talent and depth on the defensive side of the football this draft.
Right now, the early predictions have the Texans taking a cornerback like Tulane’s Lance Robinson to pair opposite Derek Stingley or maybe even an interior defensive lineman like Michigan’s Kris Jenkins to add depth along the defensive front after losing a few key players to free agency.
But with two picks in the fourth and seventh rounds, and also armed with a third-rounder (86th overall), the Texans could package some of those picks to move up either in the late first round or earlier in the second round. Players like Notre Dame’s Cam Hart, Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw and Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry could be available for the right trade assets.
Don’t expect the Texans to offer many clues, but we know the organization and general manager Nick Caserio are known for wheeling and dealing during the threeday draft. The Texans started last year’s trade maneuvering giving up one of their 2024 first-round picks to acquire defensive end Will Anderson Jr. with the third overall pick of the draft, just one slot after taking quarterback C.J. Stroud.
By the time the night was over, the Texans had made eight trades to bring the team’s draft weekend trades under Caserio to 14.
“As it pertains to the draft, I’m certainly excited about the opportunity we have in front of us,” said Caserio, who this offseason sent the Texans’ other first-round pick to Minnesota for a second and sixth-round pick this year and another second-round selection 2025. “We have nine picks as of Thursday night. We’ll see if that changes or stays static. But given our history, it’ll probably change at some point.”
The reality is as good as things look on paper for the Texans, there is an understanding that they keep building and adding depth to keep up with the teams in the division that are trying to improve.
“Offensively, defensively, we’re trying to build the best team for 2024,” Ryans said.
“And that’s what myself and Nick [Caserio] – that’s what our job is – to add the right pieces, acquire the right players, to have us go out and be our best in 2024.”
After countless hours of hard work and endless days of execution, Fort Bend Elkins senior, Sydney Freeman is now headed to the UIL State track meet after throwing 142-10 in the discus and 44-10 in the shot put.
“It feels amazing to have this opportunity. I feel blessed,” said Freeman.
Unlike other track enthusiasts, Freeman had a delayed entry into the world of track and field. It wasn’t until the 8th grade, during her time at Fort Settlement Middle School in Missouri City, Texas, that she began participating.
Initially, Freeman focused solely on shot put, as she struggled to meet the requirements for discus. Shot put relied primarily on her strength, whereas discus demanded both strength and technical finesse.
“I only threw one meet in eighth grade and I saw I was kind of good at it. I won. So I thought to myself, maybe I’ll try this. Before this, I was into volleyball and I planned to play in high school, but COVID-19 hit and that’s when I switched my focus from volleyball to track and field,” said Freeman.
When Freeman began attending Elkins High School as a freshman, her desire to become great intensified. However, she lacked a throwing coach who had the tools to properly get her to compete at the highest level.
“One of the coaches at my mom’s school
Class: 2024
IG: @sydneyy.freeman55
Twitter: @Sydneythrows
Events: Discus, Shot Put
Height & weight: 5-feet-7, 290 pounds
Throwers she studies: Michelle Carter (Olympian), Valarie Allman (Olympian)
Status: Committed to the University of Houston
Favorite artist: SZA
Favorite subject: Geometry
Shout-outs: God, parents, brothers, teammates, coaches
heard I was interested in throwing the shot put and discus and referred my mom to Coach (Dwayne) Dever. That’s when we started going to him religiously,” said Freeman.
Freeman lived in the Sugarland area, but every weekend made the trip to Alief Taylor to work on her technique.
“She is the kind of kid that is going to work for everything she gets. She would come out and work with me by herself and work for hours upon hours in the heat,” said Dever.
During her freshman season, while com peting at the area meet, Freeman suffered a wrist injury when she fell in the ring during her final discus throw. This unfortunate inci dent prevented her from participating in the subsequent shot put event. Although she managed to qualify for regionals in discus, she faced tough competition and her journey ended there.
In her sophomore season, Freeman returned with determination, qualifying for regionals in both shot put and discus. She secured fourth place in the shot put and advanced to the State meet in discus.
“That year I hurt my shoulder during the season, so I was only good in discus that year. Shot put, I only throw 35-feet,” said Freeman.
In her junior season, Freeman qualified for regionals in both events but missed the opportunity to advance to the state competi tion after placing third in the shot put, getting the wildcard but coming up short by one inch and placing fourth in discus.
“It just wasn’t working for me in the discus that day. I wasn’t on my game. The three girls I competed against threw their best that year and I came up short. It made me feel disap pointed at the moment because I knew I could do better. But it made me realize I needed to come back next season and be better than before so I didn’t feel that same disappointment again,” said Freeman.
After listening to the kind words from her parents and meditating on Jeremiah 29:11, Freeman in her senior season is headed back to the UIL State meet with one goal in mind, compete as hard as she can and stand on the podium in the end.
“This feels like a surreal moment because I’ve worked hard for a long time,” said Freeman.
Next season Freeman will be attending the University of Houston on a track scholarship while studying Kinesiology.
“After attending the Junior Olympics with the Afterburners track club, I was able to see Oregon State University and what they had to offer. I was really into that school until I saw what the University of Houston had to offer,” said Freeman. “Aside from the great facilities,
Houston felt like home, the atmosphere, the people, the coaches; it just felt like a perfect fit.”
Freeman thinks back to the advice given to her by her mom when looking to inspire the next generation of athletes.
“Trust in God that his will prevails and he has you in the palm of his hands,” said Freeman.
