Never in the history of the state of Texas, and quite possibly the history of the U.S., has a governor lobbied for the pardon of a convicted murderer even before the killer was sentenced. But that’s exactly what Gov. Greg Abbott did when he called for the pardon of killer and noted racist Daniel Perry who killed a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protester. In so doing, Abbott gave a full-throated endorsement of people who believe in the myth of white supremacy indiscriminately killing anyone who stands for Black humanity. So, I guess it’s no surprise that when fve human beings were slaughtered in another Texas mass shooting, Abbott, even when calling for justice, belittled and demeaned the victims by referring to them as illegal immigrants. In a released statement, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said, “Tere is no limit to the depravity of Greg Abbott and his Texas Republican cronies. To use a mass shooting, in which fve innocent souls were slaughtered execution-style – including an 8-year-old – to fearmonger and lie about migrants and the victims’ immigration status… this type of sick behavior is truly beyond the pale.”
If you haven’t seen “Idiocracy,” the 2006 movie about an American society so dumbed down that the most intellectually non-curious, average person you know would be considered the most intelligent human alive, don’t worry. We’re literally living that reality right now. And TikTok is playing a big role. Te phrase “Tat person is so smart they’re stupid” has never been truer. Social media ofers a landslide of information: some incredibly insightful and
groundbreaking; some asinine as hell. And the asinine is winning. Case in point, our African ancestors thousands of years ago successfully mapped the movement of the stars and planets. Teir scientifc knowledge/genius wasn’t discovered by European scientists until relatively recently. But this knowledge, this wisdom of the ancients, is being thrown out the window by folk today because they saw some dude post a video on TikTok that says the world is fat. Have institutions, educational and otherwise, lied to us and promoted false information before? Sure. Should we be willing to do our own research? Of course. But somehow, we’ve got to develop the discernment to separate truth from fction. If not, the “Idiocracy” we’re already experiencing will only get worse.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And if any people need a mental health checkup, it’s the Blacks. Anti-Blackness negatively impacts us in a myriad of ways, known and unknown, consciously and subconsciously. Te daily stresses, the micro- and macro-aggressions we endure as well as the mountains of anti-Black policies, actions, systems, etc. leave many of us on the razor’s edge, just one bad encounter, one lingering side-eye, one bad day away from going so all the way of we can’t get back “on” again. Before we reach that point, let’s take all the steps to get our mental state in a positive place.
• Te Tiger Ball brings major dollars to TSU.
• BLK dating app announces the “Black Tax Giveaway.”
• Check out Pres. Obama’s new Netfix docuseries.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner is sharing new updates on violent crime statistics, technology upgrades, recruitment and retention, gang prevention and youth programs, and the news is good.
According to Finner, the overall violent crime rate is down by 12% and overall crime is down by 6%.
However, property crimes and auto thefts are up 14% and burglaries increased by 2%.
“When I look at the stats and I look at each district, each councilmember, overall crime is down and that is to be commended,” Finner said during a recent City Council meeting. “This is just the first quarter. We still have to make smart decisions. We still have to help our neighbors out. Summer is coming.”
The city experienced an increase in violent crime during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors that contributed to a spike in violent crime nationally include widespread social anxiety, economic uncertainty, mental health concerns, an increased presence of illegally owned firearms, and a strained court system plagued by criminal case backlogs that impact the pretrial, release, and prosecution of violent offenders, HPD said.
Crimes have decreased in the following categories:
27% HOMICIDES
23% HUMAN TRAFFICKING
19% KIDNAPPINGS
12% AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS
10% ROBBERIES
5% NON-VIOLENT CRIMES
The Harris Health System Board of Trustees unanimously approved a request to the Harris County Commissioners Court to order a bond election for an estimated $2.5 billion. This request is to finance the rebuilding and upgrading of Harris Health’s facilities, which are quickly reaching their end of use and have been operating at nearfull capacity for years. If passed in the November 2023 ballot, this bond referendum will provide much-needed investment for the public safety net.
“Without immediate public investment, our hospitals and emergency rooms will continue to exceed capacity on a daily basis. We need to act now to address the immediate needs but also prepare for the inevitable growth in demand as Harris County grows,” said Arthur Bracey, MD, chair, Harris Health System Board of Trustees.
The proposed $2.5 billion bond and capital construction package includes several essential initiatives, including the construction of a new Level I-capable trauma center outside the Texas Medical Center, replacing the current Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) Hospital, adding new community-based clinics in high-need areas, and providing the necessary investments into Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital to extend its life span.
“LBJ and Ben Taub were built over 30 years ago, and in that time our community has grown exponentially,” said Esmaeil Porsa, MD, president and CEO, Harris Health System. “The addition of a Level I-capable trauma center will be the first of its kind in Harris County outside of the Texas Medical Center and is vital in meeting the needs of our region.”
The American College of Surgeons recommends having one high-level trauma center for every 1 million people, making the proposed Level I trauma center a critical
addition to the county’s healthcare infrastructure.
Harris County currently has two adult Level I trauma centers, serving a population of almost 4.8 million. Houston is the second fastest-growing major metropolitan area in the United States, with Harris County projected to have over 6 million residents, with more than 1.5 million uninsured people by 2050.
In addition to the bond package, Harris Health intends to raise $100 million in philanthropic support and an
additional $300 million from operational savings to help offset the total $2.9 billion strategic capital improvement plan.
Over the next three months, the Harris County Commissioners Court will deliberate on the bond request. Commissioners will be able to take action on the bond proposal in August, as set by state statute, to either put the bond proposal on the ballot in November 2023 or decline to do so.
U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, is set to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for reelection in 2024.
Allred, a former NFL player and civil rights lawyer who was first elected to Congress in 2018, has been considering for months whether to take on Cruz. Speculation ramped up last week afer it was noted that Allred’s campaign website appeared to be undergoing changes.
Texans who receive health insurance through Medicaid will have to requalify and renew to maintain their coverage for the frst time in three years. Te public health emergency order that allowed for continuous Medicaid coverage during the pandemic is set to expire in May, and federal funding legislation ends the continuous coverage by April.
Terefore, the state of Texas will begin removing people who no longer qualify from the Medicaid rolls in April. Tat includes people using Medicaid programs like Healthy Texas Women, which provides free women’s health and family planning services. Enrollment in Medicaid, which provides health care to people with low incomes, has grown by about two million in Texas since February 2020, according to state data.
Who is afected?
Tis review process will most immediately affect the nearly three million Texans who had their Medicaid coverage extended because of the pandemic. But all Texans under Medicaid plans —almost six million— will eventually have to go through the redetermination and renewal process as the Texas Health and Human Services Commission returns to pre-pandemic operations.
Only some Medicaid recipients may have to reapply for coverage, according to the agency. Others may just have to renew or provide HHSC with information to verify their eligibility. For kids already on the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, renewals will continue as usual, according to state health ofcials.
When will eligibility be checked?
Te Health and Human Services Commission will contact you when it’s your turn to renew or reapply. Te agency will send you a notice through the mail or via
email or text if you opted for paperless correspondence. HHSC will carry out the reviews over the course of multiple months and will focus frst on reviewing and removing Medicaid recipients who are likely to no longer qualify. Te agency will begin sending renewal packets in April, and all other households will be sent renewal packets no later than September.
What do I need to do?
Be on the lookout for a letter mailed to your address detailing your benefts and case. To avoid losing coverage while HHSC determines your eligibility, promptly respond to any agency requests for information. Notices and renewal packets will be mailed in a yellow envelope with red letters that say “action required.”
If you have an online account at YourTexasBenefts.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app and opted for paperless correspondence, you will receive an electronic notice that there is a new letter in your account.
You can also check whether it’s time for you to renew by logging in to your Your Texas Benefts account and clicking the “select details” option for your case. Once there, either through the web address or the mobile app, you can also change your address or other details, like the number of people in your household or whether you are pregnant.
“Even if your case isn’t up for renewal yet, it’s important to make sure your contact information is up to date to ensure you receive notices,” said Alicia Pierce, a spokesperson for the Texas Association of Health Plans.
Allred begins the campaign as a major underdog in a state that has not elected a Democrat to statewide ofce since 1994. Beto O’Rourke ran a surprisingly tight race against Cruz in 2018 — losing by less than three percentage points — but Democrats have not come as close since then. Te race is not without risk for Allred. He would have to give up his newly safe seat in Congress, where he has been rising within the Democratic caucus.
Allred also is likely to have credible primary competition. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio is poised to run, though he is unlikely to make any announcements until afer the current legislative session, which ends May 29.
Allred worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Barack Obama before returning home to Dallas to run for Congress in 2018. With O’Rourke at the top of the ballot, Allred became one of two Democrats who fipped congressional seats that year in Texas, unseating U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, in the 32nd District.
National Republicans sought to win back Allred’s seat in 2020, but he won by a comfortable margin. Te next year, the Legislature redrew his seat to be safer for Democrats, and Allred sailed to a third term.
One advantage Allred could have — at least over fellow Democrats — is money. He has proven himself to be a strong fundraiser through multiple election cycles, and he ended the frst quarter of this year with $2.2 million cash on hand. Cruz had $3.3 million in the bank.
VOLUME 92, NUMBER 25 - MAY 4, 2023
Publisher | CEO
Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Digital Content Manager Get Current Studios
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate
Associate Editor
Aswad Walker
Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho
Sports Terrance Harris
Jodie B. Jiles
Photographer Jimmie Aggison
Social Media Manager
Tia Alphonse Jordan Hockett
We’re always looking for ways to support people’s choices in the communities we serve. That’s why Bank of America is adding charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) to over 90 financial centers nationwide. We’re also supporting the choices our teammates make with employee rebates on EVs.
I am proud of the steps we’re taking in the Houston community to help people pursue what matters to them. The same goes for my teammates, as many have chosen to participate in My Environment,® one of our employee engagement initiatives.
Hong Ogle President, Bank of America Houston
What would you like the power to do?®
Houston community activist Gerry Monroe, known for his ferce and uncompromising voice against education inequities within the city’s public school system, died on April 30.
The self-proclaimed ‘Five Star General’ dedicated his life to the youth and was ofen seen standing front and center during HISD board meetings and community forums, holding public officials accountable, no matter how uncomfortable or harsh his language or tone might sound.
During his last interview with the Defender, he said that if he had to “kick over the tables” to fght for a quality education for the youth, then that was what he was going to do.
“My assignment is the youth. I believe that these kids can be anything that they want to be. But I also know the school system is failing them across the country,” he said. “So, I’m just doing what people say when they say it takes a village. I’m one of the villagers that believes in public education, and I believe that our kids are not getting a fair shot.”
Monroe was a proud Jack Yates High School graduate of the class of 1986 and spared no time reminding the community of where he went to school, sporting his gold and red t-shirts and letterman jacket. He was part of the Yates football team that won a state title his senior year.
But what solidified his legacy is more than his work on the field. Monroe’s mentor and fellow community activist Travis McGee said that the death of his friend created a deep void in the community that needs more passionate and consistent voices like his to keep the momentum going.
McGee knew Monroe for nearly 16 years and took him under his wing because of his desire for change and courage to confront the status quo. He helped Monroe understand the “policies, procedures, and laws” and took things to a diferent level.
“People don’t understand the sacrifces this man-made. I work full-time like many other parents, educators, and community advocates. Gerry made sure that he was at the [school]board meetings, city council meetings on a consistent basis and made sure the community was updated all the time,” McGee said.
“I took Gerry in, but he had his own twist to things. His delivery was diferent; I didn’t always agree, but I rather have someone do something than not do anything at all. To create change, you have to disrupt.”
That’s precisely what Monroe did. Last year, he showed up to a Houston ISD school board meeting wearing a black
and yellow superhero outfit, warning them about his plans to expose them for allegedly receiving a kickback from district contractors. He also spared no words on his online show called “The War Zone,” a nonpartisan show that brings awareness to community and school district issues and exposes illegal activities among those in leadership. More recently, Monroe was seen during the Texas Education Agency’s second community forum on the state takeover
interrupting the meeting with a bullhorn strapped to his chest, opposing the board of manager process.
“That’s something I know I couldn’t have done. It takes a lot of guts to do what he did, but it got the attention it needed, and whatever he set his mind to, he made sure it happened,” said Houston ISD educator and community activist Larry McKinzie. “Now that he is gone, we have to keep the momentum. Until we get more people to come out, it’s going to be diffcult. We’ve got to work harder and put in more enthusiasm, just like he did. Te fght doesn’t stop.”
McKenzie named several instances where his methods brought results, including Monroe’s push to have Yates Principal Tiffany Guillory reinstated afer Houston ISD removed her from the school she worked at for eight years.
In March, the Defender asked Monroe what his driving force behind that efort was, and he said that two of his former
coaches who passed away told him to do whatever he had to do to protect the school’s legacy.
“He fought for Yates. He fought to ensure every Brown, Black, and white kid was good and treated fairly. He fought for me,” said Guillory. “He wanted the best for our students. Nobody is perfect. He had his way of doing things, but he meant well.”
On an episode of Fox26’s “Te Isiah Factor Uncensored,” McGee suggested a funeral ceremony at Yates to honor Monroe’s service to the school and community. When we asked Guillory whether a memorial service could be possible, she said they were working on something special.
“We’re trying to wait for his family to do their planning, but we are planning something special,” she said.
Monroe’s family is collecting donations for the homegoing service. Te date has yet to be announced.
• SB 823, authored by state Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, would allow the Texas secretary of state’s ofce to suspend a county elections administrator and appoint a replacement.
• SB 1039, authored by Bettencourt and Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, would require county election ofcials to respond to questions about alleged election irregularities from a candidate, county or state chair of a political party, election judge or the head of a political committee. If the requestor is not satisfed with the explanation, they can ask the Texas secretary of state to perform an audit. The secretary of state can appoint a state conservator to take over a county’s elections for two federal election cycles.
• SB 220 authored by Bettencourt, would create a team of state election marshals to investigate election code violations and fle criminal charges.
• SB 1911, authored by Bettencourt, could create criminal penalties for a county’s intentional failure to provide enough ballot paper or resupply quickly enough.
Harris County Elections system has been under fre since the 2020 Midterm Elections and now, the Texas Legislature is pushing sweeping changes that could permanently alter voting in the state’s largest county.
Republicans have targeted Harris County with voting-related bills in the last two legislative sessions. In 2021, lawmakers implemented Senate Bill 1 to get rid of 24-hour voting sites, drive-thru polling places and eforts to proactively send mail ballot applications to voters — all strategies implemented by then-County Clerk Chris Hollins in 2020 to help Harris County voters access the polls during the early days of the COVID pandemic.
Now, GOP lawmakers are using their majority to target Harris County voters in a number of areas.
“Let me be clear, the MAGA Republicans in charge in Texas have unfortunately been driving the Trump kool-aid of election fraud based on the big lie,” said State Rep. Ron Reynolds. “Tey are pissed that they spent millions of dollars in Harris County to defeat Judge Lina Hidalgo and lost. Now they want to take away local control and win elections not by receiving the most votes but by placing their thumb on the scales when they don’t agree with the results of the majority of citizens that vote to elect Democrats.”
Two of the biggest bills take aim at the Elections Administrator and gives Texas Gov. Greg Abbott precedent-setting power to reverse elections.
Removal of Elections Administrator Senate Bill 1750 was recently approved by the Texas House.
It seeks to abolish the county elections adminis trator position (currently held by Cliford Tatum) in Harris County and transfer election duties to the county clerk and tax assessor-collector. Te Senate passed the bill, written by state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Republican, on April 18. It will now go up for debate on the House foor.
Te bill was originally written to afect all counties with populations of more than 1 million residents, but it was changed afer Bettencourt’s ofce found that only Harris County had continuous problems, said Rep. Briscoe Cain, who presented the House version of the bill — House Bill 3876 — in committee.
“Each election seems to bring a new and bigger election disaster than the last,” said Cain, a Republican. “Harris County leadership has done nothing to remedy this embarrassingly poor quality of operation of the elections department.”
Te Texas Election Code allows counties’ election commissions, based on their individual needs, to assign election duties to the county clerk and tax assessor-collector — which are elected positions — or to create an elections department and appoint a nonpartisan elections administrator. More than half of Texas’ 254 counties currently appoint an elections administrator to run their elections.
In last November’s general election, Harris County had to extend voting for an hour afer various polling places had malfunctioning voting machines, paper ballot shortages and long waiting periods. More than 20 lawsuits from losing Republican
candidates have been fled against the county, citing those problems and seeking a redo of the election. Elections Administrator Cliford Tatum, the county’s second elections administrator, hired only two months before November’s election, could not say early on how many polling locations ran out of paper on Election Day or whether anyone was prevented from voting.
Tatum lacked a sophisticated tracking system that many elections administrators use to manage polling place problems across the county in real time. He has since said the county will be equipped with such a tracking system for the upcoming May 6 municipal election.
Senate Bill 1993 gives Gov. Abbott “precedent-setting” power to undo election results. Te measure would give Abbott’s appointed Secretary of State the authority to order a new election under certain circumstances in counties with at least 2.7 million people. Te state would be able to call a new election if 2% or more of the total precincts run out of usable ballots during voting hours, something that happened at several polling places in the last midterm elections. Only Harris County, a Democratic stronghold and the country’s third most populous county, would be afected by this bill as it has 4.7 mil people. S.B. 1993 now goes to the state House for consideration.
• SB 1933 authored by Bettencourt, would give the Texas secretary of state the authority to appoint a state conservator to take over county elections for two federal election cycles. Five of the bills have been passed by the full Senate. To move forward, they also need approval from a House committee and the House as a whole.
Tat triggered allegations of voter suppression from Senate Democrats who saw the move as simply handing the governor a way to reverse results as Republicans like former President Donald Trump and losing Arizona governor candidate Kari Lake tried to do.
“You want to vest in a political appointee the ability to make a decision as to whether or not an election should be overturned and reheld?” state Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) said. Harris County, which once skewed Republican, voted nearly 56% Democratic in the last presidential election.
Abbott and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz lost the county in recent re-election races.
Under the terms of the law, the secretary of state wouldn’t actually have to prove that any polling places did run out of ballots; they would merely need to have “good cause to believe” that there was a shortage. Additionally, they wouldn’t have to prove that election administration issues afected the outcome of the election.
“Tis bill provides a remedy for systemic ballot paper denial in Harris County and simply insures there is enough ballot paper for voters,” said State Senator Mayes Middleton.
Senate Democrats in the minority ofered pushback, suggesting Middleton’s measure is hyper-partisan and overkill.
“Instead of making it statewide right now, we are just going to pick on my county, little old Harris County, right? Kind of like all the other election bills that come through here,” said State Senator Borris Miles, a Houston Democrat.
SB 1993 will now move to the Texas House for consideration and Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee says they will take the matter to court.
“Tis bill is about targeting the largest county in the state, which is led by people of color,” Menefee said.
Te Texas Tribune contributed to this report.
This bill is bad for democracy and violates the Texas Constitution’s prohibition on local laws. If it passes, Harris County will sue.”
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee
Building wealth doesn’t only have to be attained through entrepreneurship. Social media give us the highlight reels of what we can do to generate wealth while owning a business and being our own bosses. However, we seldom see infuencers promoting the same while securing a 9-5 career or job.
Cinneah El-Amin knows this experience all too well. In February, she was laid of from her six-fgure tech job and is now taking a break from corporate America to grow her thriving online career and lifestyle platform, Flynanced.
She launched Flynanced in 2020, a community for “9-5 hotties” to earn more and build wealth, and in a short time has taught over 1,000 women to create the dream lives they want.
Earlier in her career, she earned $72,000 and eventually grew her take home pay to $186,000, more than doubling her salary in four years.
She’s grown a large following of more than 200,000 followers across Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and email, sharing her journey from paying off thousands in student loans and consumer debt to scaling her side hustle while growing her six-fgure-paying career as a project manager.
El-Amin spoke with the Defender to share ways to build wealth while keeping your 9-5.
DEFENDER:Oneofyourfrstfnancial milestoneswassavingyourfrst100K. Howwereyouabletoaccomplishthat goal?
EL-AMIN: It was not overnight. It took me about two and a half years to get to the point where I could say, ‘I did it.’ First, I had to pour into my mental health. I was in therapy. I was working with a life coach. I was just trying to unlearn some of the traumas holding me back. I was putting myself in fnancial disarray because I wasn’t addressing the other traumas and things I’ve gone through. Two, understanding that these are baby steps. I never said my big goal was going to be $100,000. I started by wanting to learn how to live on a budget. I knew I had all this extra money I was making every month that I couldn’t account for where it was going. Te goal was a lot smaller initially, but as I got momentum and accomplished things, I could stretch myself and say that would be a goal I wanted to set for myself. Tird, fnd that tribe. I was able to start making relationships and connections, especially with other Black women. Not feeling like I had to go about it all alone. Looking to people in the community who were going through similar things, could
be supportive of me, had other recommendations, or worked with other fnancial people. Tose three things helped me shape my mindset.
DEFENDER: Whatdoyousaytothose whomightnotbeinacareerbuthavea 9-5jobandwanttobuildwealth?How about those in low-salaried careers/ non-competecontractsthatdon’thave wiggleroomtoincreasesalary?
EL-AMIN: We all have six and seven-fgure skills to use to make money. If you’re not currently making the money you want, you have the skill set to do so. Tere are two main lanes for it. For most people who are college-educated, who had previous work experience, no matter what industry or job you’ve had, many times we’re working in jobs not realizing we have the same skillset as people that are more highly paid than us. Tere’s a bit of fnesse that has to happen. [However], at the end of the day, if you were to look at job descriptions for a program manager and compare that to what you do right now as an administrative assistant, you would see many similarities. Another hurdle that we have to overcome is that there are so many jobs out here in lanes for our current skillset, especially if you are that person who has a degree and feels like you’ve never made the money you wanted to make despite the work experience. Tere is a lane for folks who need a degree or work experience. Tere is no better time than now to upskill.
So many programs will pay you to learn skills to become competitive in the job market. I share this in my free newsletter every Friday, ‘Free Game Fridays.’ If you’re willing to work and apply for scholarships, you could be in a six-to-10month program that would lead you to make six fgures. Tat’s why I created my six-fgure masterclass because I get so many questions from qualifed Black women. Bringing in that strategy, leveraging that technology, and sites like LinkedIn to see the money is out there.
Te Texas Senate recently approved Senate Bill 18, which could eliminate tenure status at public Texas universities and colleges for newly hired professors, beginning Sept.1, 2023.
Tis bill makes good on a priority of Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for a little over a year. Patrick announced his intentions to end tenure in public universities and limit the teachings of critical race theory.
Te role of tenure plays an important role in the success of higher education institutions. It provides academic freedom to professors who spend most of their time researching thought-provoking topics regardless of how potentially controversial they may be.
Te research provides an opportunity for tenured employees to encourage students to think critically and ask tough questions while ensuring less turnover and a stable environment for teaching.
But what if the opportunity of being tenured is limited or abolished?
“We are the ones who pay [faculty’s] salaries. Parents are the ones who pay tuition. Of course, we’re going to have a say in what the curriculum is,” Patrick said last year when announcing his intentions to end tenure.
Proponents say this decision will improve the student experience and allow more freedom of expression. However, those opposed say it will impact the state colleges’ competitive edge and limit freedom of expression in classrooms.
Tenure plays an important role in the success of higher education institutions. It provides academic freedom to professors who spend most of their time researching thought-provoking topics regardless of how potentially controversial they may be.
Te research provides an opportunity for tenured employees to encourage students to think critically and ask tough questions while ensuring less turnover and a stable environment for teaching.
Tenure is a lifetime job security at a university afer an educator has been evaluated on the research they’ve conducted and the impact they’ve made in the classroom. Achieving tenure is not easy and is a very rigorous process. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 17,726 faculty members were tenured in Texas universities, while 7,668 were on the tenure track.
When a professor gains tenure, the person can only be terminated for a justifable cause or under extreme circumstances such as severe fnancial restraint or program discontinuation. Professors receive comprehensive rights, and colleges attract the most talented and qualifed faculty to work at their institutions. Te two notable rights include:
Academic freedoms: Providing protection to
cover controversial topics without fear. Tenured faculty gain complete freedom in research and publications as long as they meet core academic requirements and the controversial material covered relates to their subject of focus. Academic freedom also provides students with a holistic, multi-dimensional educational experience.
Economic Security: Job security is one of the signifcant benefts of achieving tenure. Te educator doesn’t have to worry about being asked to return the following year. Tey maintain their employment for an extended period, potentially until they retire.
With the rise in political correctness and the decline in alternative viewpoints, the First Amendment isn’t as revered as it once was. Add the challenges of declining college enrollment, school funding, and high turnover rates of professors leaving the workforce, then one can see why the topic is important to academia.
Tenured faculty develop a broader and deeper knowledge within their feld of expertise. Tey’ll use their research to provide open dialogue, expose them to various topics, and challenge their critical thinking skills. Some critics say removing tenure could impact the recruitment and retention of quality faculty, impacting a student’s decision to attend schools with a quality learning experience.
Dr. Eddy Carter, assistant professor of constitutional law and philosophy at Prairie View University, said he sees both sides of the argument.
“Tere are those contexts in which individuals have used their tenure as a means to further their employment and haven’t sincerely engaged in personal academic development, scholarship exposure to diversities of perspectives in the practical levels in the classroom,” he said. “On the other hand, tenure does have its place, and it is essential for maintaining academic freedom, thought, and integrity to enhance the quality of higher education in the state.”
Tenure is awarded based on merit. Faculty already undergo yearly performance reviews and periodic evaluations. Tis position isn’t considered blanket protection to get away with unacceptable behaviors. Tey must meet the university’s standards and be held accountable.
Houston residents hold sign during TEA community forum at Delmar Stadium.
Te Texas Education Agency started its Houston ISD board of manager application process with 462 people. Now, the number of qualifed applicants has been reduced to fewer than half, according to the agency.
A TEA representative told the Defender that “238 applicants attended at least some part of the Lone Star Governance training” that took place over the span of two weeks, but only 225 candidates completed the training and are eligible to advance to the next phase of interviews.
Applicants who were eliminated either didn’t attend the training, lef early or did not return for day two.
Tere is less than a month lef until TEA Commissioner Mike Morath appoints a new board of managers that will temporarily replace the current elected board of trustees to oversee the management of the school district.
TEA is currently in the next interview phase of the selection process.
Te Lone Star Governance training is a part of a framework implemented by superintendents and school boards that focuses on improving student outcomes.
Te Defender asked for an update of the latest demographic and geographic breakdown of the 225 candidates. TEA said the information could not be provided at this time.
For a third consecutive year, Academy Sports + Outdoors honors seven college-bound high school seniors from Yates High School with scholarships and a donation to the school totaling $50,000.
Academy has pledged to award Yates High School $250,000 by 2025 to encourage and celebrate actions that promote equality within the Houston Independent School District. Funding comes from the Academy Sports + Outdoors Scholarship Fund, established in 2020.
“A college degree is a life-changing accomplishment for our students,” said Superintendent Millard House II. “Tis is an extremely generous fve-year commitment from Academy Sports. It is seed money that will produce generations of positive change. A college degree leads to great jobs, and a better life for our students and their children. We are extremely thankful
for the kindness of Academy Sports.”
Carnegie Mims won a $20,000 scholarship and will be going to Howard University in the fall to study management information systems with a focus in cybersecurity. He said he looks forward to attending an HBCU just like his mother [a Howard University alum] and father [Morehouse].
“I’m from the Tird Ward. A lot of people don’t have opportunities. I’m really grateful for my parents. Tey showed me the way,” he said. “I’m grateful for the people at Yates. I think anyone can do it, they just have to listen to those around them especially those in school and people who they’ve seen to be already successful in their careers.”
Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS), an educational nonproft, celebrates this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month in May, part of a national campaign by Mental Health America (MHA), around the theme “Look Around, Look Within.”
MHA’s mission is to promote mental health and prevent mental illness through advocacy, education, research and services. In May, CIS team members will be raising awareness across campuses about the importance of good mental health, including coordinated activities.
For the past 43 years, supporting students’ mental health and well-being has been at the core of what CIS does. CIS of Houston, which continues to celebrate 10 years since the launch of its Mental Health Initiative (MHI), is the largest provider of mental health services for schools in the Harris County area.
With the MHI, CIS has been able to implement targeted eforts to collectively address the growing mental health needs on CIS’s 173 campuses in six school districts across Greater Houston. At least one fulltime CIS staf member (Student Support Specialist) on each campus ensures basic needs are met, delivering direct services, providing mental health services, and connecting students and families with muchneeded community resources. During the 2021-2022 school year, CIS facilitated mental health services for more than 6,000 students across 94 campuses.
“A true mental health crisis exists among students in Harris County, Texas and across the nation,” says Shubhra Endley, LCSW-S,
1
CIS of Houston’s director of mental health & wellness. “Many factors contribute to this, including lingering problems from the pandemic shutdown, bullying at school and on social media, poverty, lack of community resources, joblessness, loss of a loved one and domestic violence.”
“CIS mental health staf and our mental health partners fll in the gap by working with students and their families in developing strategies for living healthier lives,” Endley continues. She notes that CIS of Houston has made it a priority to ensure all campus-based staf members are trained in
First Aid and suicide prevention strategies every year.
Statistics paint a picture of a growing problem in mental health, which is exacerbated by a lack of services in under-resourced communities. For example:
https://www.cishouston.org/ mental-health-initiative
• Mental Health America notes that one in six children experience a mental health disorder each year. It is estimated that 20% of Texas youth have a mental illness or addictive disorder that causes at least some level of functional impairment, while 5% have a Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) that can signifcantly impact the child’s ability to thrive at home and in school.
• In 2020, Te Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD reported a 24% increase in mental health related visits to hospital emergency rooms for children ages 5-11, and a 31% increase for youth ages 12-17. In 2021, new requests for mental health outpatient services for children and youth in Harris County increased by 13% from the previous year.
“Mental Health Awareness Month reinforces the need for mental and behavioral health services from elementary school through college,” says Endley. “Since we are able to reach students and ofer early support within the school environment, they may be less likely to develop serious mental health conditions later in their lives.”
Endley says according to the Texas Education Agency, school is the primary space where mental illness and social-emotional challenges are identifed and addressed, outside of a student’s home. Nearly 70% of students who receive mental health interventions access these services at school. CIS urges students and parents to reach out to counselors and mental health specialists in their schools when the need arises or to seek out community resources.
out of 6 children experience mental health issues each year
The University of Houston football program was dealt an unexpected blow when running back
Alton McCaskill
IV informed head coach Dana Holgorsen he was entering the transfer portal. McCaskill, a product of Oak Ridge High School, was expected to return as the Cougars’ featured back this season after missing last year with a torn ACL in his left knee. The transfer portal closed for the spring transfer season on April 30.
Prairie View clinches
SWAC Western Division softball title
Prairie View
freshman Mia
Nunez and first base player Audrey Garcia helped lead the Lady Panthers to an 11-1 win over Southern and the SWAC Western Division softball title with two outstanding performances.
Nunez went four for four at the plate and four RBI, while Garcia also recorded hits on all four of her at-bats and finished with two runs scored and two RBI. The Lady Panthers finished the regular season with a 22-1 SWAC record.
Longtime Texas
Southern equipment manager Eddie Lee Davis recently died. He was 65. Davis had worked as TSU’s equipment manager since 2008, and prior to that the Houston native spent 17 years in the same capacity at his alma mater Prairie View for 17 years. His viewing will take place May 6 at Lockwood Funeral Home from 9 to 9:50 a.m. and the funeral services will follow immediately after.
Over the years, Will Anderson Jr. has been influenced by so many along his football journey.
But no influence has been greater for the Texans’ third-overall draft pick than family. Anderson’s family and their love and support are with him wherever he goes – always internally, but often in the physical sense.
“I’m really tight with my family, especially my dad and my mom and all my sisters,” Anderson said. “They kept me grounded, kept me humble, making sure I was keeping the main thing, the main thing and making sure whatever mission I was trying to do, I was going to complete it.”
Also with him in spirit is his grandmother, Betty, who died in 2020. But to make sure she was with him on draft night, Anderson had his suit designed with a picture of her on the inside lining of his sports coat.
“This is like my best friend my whole life. She helped raise me. I went to go live with her,” Anderson said. Shortly after the Texans traded up to draft him. “She passed away my freshman year in college. She loved me and she loved football so much. She wasn’t able to be here, but I wanted to dedicate her in some way and know that she is watching over me and she is here with me on this special day.”
With the support of a great family, most of whom were on hand for Anderson’s introductory press conference, Anderson put together one of the most dominant college football careers at Alabama in recent history.
The 6-foot-4, 254-pound linebacker/edge rusher was deemed the can’t-miss-player of this draft, which is why the Texans pulled off the biggest surprise of the first round, taking Anderson minutes after they had selected quarterback C.J. Stroud with the No.2 pick.
There had been heavy speculation in the days leading up to the NFL Draft that new coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio might forgo the need to take a quarterback in the second slot and instead take Anderson. Instead, the Texans surrendered four draft picks to the Cardinals to move up from No.12 to get the best of both worlds.
Nobody was probably more relieved than Anderson, who had developed a bond with Ryans during the pre-draft process. He was the first player the Texans hosted and the two former Bama linebackers instantly connected.
Height: 6-foot-4. Weight 254 pounds College: Alabama
Accolades: Lombardi Award (2022), two-time Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2021, 2022), Chuck Bednarik Award (2022), Lott Trophy (2022), two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2021, 2022), two-time Unanimous All-American (2021, 2022)
TEXANS 2023 DRAFT CLASS
Round 1: No. 2 – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State Round 1: No. 3 (from ARI) – Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama Round 2: No. 62 (from PHI) –Juice Scruggs, G, Penn State Round 3: No. 69. (from LAR)
– Tank Dell, WR, Houston Round 4: No. 109 (from LV)
– Dylan Horton, DE, TCU Round 5: No. 167 (from LAR) –Henry To’Oto’o, LB, Alabama Round 6: No. 201 (from MIN) –Jarrett Patterson, C, Notre Dame Round 6: No. 205 (from BUF) –Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State Round 7: No. 248 (from PHI)
– Brandon Hill, DB, Pitt
“I told them a dozen times probably, like I’m so appreciative of them,” said Anderson, who was a two-time All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Also, this past season he won the Lombardi Award here in Houston. “I don’t take this for granted. That showed me how much they actually wanted me here. That’s all I wanted is to go somewhere where I felt wanted, where I felt like it was family. That’s what I’m big on. Just getting that feeling from them, it means everything.”
Clearly, Anderson is the type of player on and off the field who Ryans coveted as the new cornerstone of his defense.
“Love the energy that he brings,” Ryans said. “Love the passion, and love the humbleness, but also the competitor in him. It just like sticks out. That’s the thing that I love about Will. That’s who he is. He doesn’t change.”
Adulation and respect definitely go both ways.
“When I came here and I talked to Coach Ryans, I was like I’ve got to be here,” said Anderson, who amassed 204 tackles, 115 of which were solo, 58.5 tackles for loss and 34.5 sacks during his three-year playing career at Alabama. “The same exact mindset, the same mentality, what he’s trying to preach, everything. That’s what I’m all about, and that’s what I want to do. It’s going to be a lot of hard work. Nothing is given to me. That’s the way I like it. I want to go out there and earn it. I want to go out and compete.”
On Feb. 15, 2016, Westly Robinson stepped off an airplane to a country of new beginnings. He had just left his home country of Nigeria and was ready to take advantage of every opportunity that came his way.
“It was the first time I had ever been on a plane,” said Robinson. “The flight was nine hours, but it was amazing. After a six year wait, I was able to see my mom. It was refreshing and I felt at home.”
Class: 2023
IG: @fcg_v12
Events: Long jump, 100-meter dash
Height & weight: 5-feet-11, 150 pounds
Jumpers he studies: Chase Devaughn
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite artists: Central Cee (from United Kingdom)
Favorite subject: Calculus
Hobby: Golf
Shout-outs: Stephen F.
Austin, Coach Torres
Robinson enrolled in Neff Elementary and began competing in both sports and the classroom.
“I couldn’t wait for the first day so I could register for school. It was super fun. As I got older, I began to make more friends. A coach in middle school noticed that I was one of the fastest kids and he encouraged me to run track, so I did,” said Robinson.
Robinson brought his openness to trying new things with him to Sharpstown High School.
“Wesley’s kind of the jack of all trades,” said Sharpstown track and field coach Matt
Torres. “He does everything for us. He’s an all-district performer for us in football. He was on the varsity soccer, basketball and baseball team. He’s our top golfer, and today he’s our only track athlete going to regionals.”
Robinson has played all six sports since his freshman year. With a current GPA of 3.98, Robinson believes it all boils down to good time management and communication.
“You have to really be on top of your time and do your work in class. Communicating with your coaches is also very important. I’m a big believer that you have to have good grades in order to have the privilege to play sports. Never give yourself excuses,” said Robinson.
On the same day as the area track meet, Robinson was also scheduled to attend an area golf tournament he qualified for. However, due to the inability to be in two places at once, Robinson decided to attend the track meet, as he felt that was his better opportunity to qualify for regionals. The decision came out in Robinson’s favor as he jumped under his PR of 21.9-feet but was still able to qualify for the regional round.
“As far as speed and power, he has it. Now we just need to tweak his technique in the air a little bit and get ready for regionals,” said Torres.
This summer, Robinson plans to attend Stephen F. Austin and major in aviation while continuing his golf and track career.
“Aviation requires a lot of focus and commitment,” said Robinson. “I became interested in aviation because when I lived in Nigeria, I went to school by an airport and I fell in love with the planes flying over our school and landing. I figured if there was something like that in America, I wanted to explore that. Last May I was able to fly with an instructor and he allowed me to turn the plane around in the air and I felt like if there was something like that in college, I’m going to major in that.”
By Jodie B. Jiles
From topics covering “Government, Legal and Business Aspects of eSports” to “Why Diversity is Needed in eSports,” Dr. David C. Hughes and Rice University’s Allysia Kizzee teamed up and brought the Pathways in eSports (PIE) Conference to The Ion near downtown Houston.
At the conference, students from Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), the Little Stem Academy and the general public received jewels of wisdom on various topics about eSports.
Ian Newton, a mechanical engineering major from PVAMU, originally started getting into fighting games like Super Smash Bros. at a young age. Eventually, that hobby flipped into a real passion. After Newton was asked why he came to the PIE Conference, Newton replied, “I want to see if I can turn my degree into something I am really interested in, and make that a hobby of mine. Outside of that, I am just here to learn and meet new people.”
In the “Government, Legal and Business
Aspects of eSports” panel entertainment lawyer Ricky Anderson spoke from the legal side of eSports, explaining the importance of trademarks.
“As far as your brand and everything outside of the game, you’ve got to trademark everything; your name, your eSports team name, everything,” said Anderson.
Other distinguished guests included Isaiah Reese, founder of Blaze Fire Games; Lori Burgess, chief operating officer of the Houston Outlaws; Tray Thompson, manager of social responsibility for the Dallas Mavericks; Ed Tomasi, co-founder at Subnation; L.J. Henderson, Little Stem Academy founder; James King, Game Truck owner and many more industry influencers.
“Today our purpose is to promote diversity in eSports and the gaming industry,” said Rice University Director of Facilities and event co-host Allysia Kizzee, when asked about the goals for the PIE Conference.
“We understand that it is a multi-billion-dollar industry and it lacks diversity. So, we are trying to open up the pathways and show different
ways how to get involved,” Kizzee continued.
Hughes, the executive director of Pathways In eSports Conference, made his mark in higher education by helping institutions like Hampton University secure a $400,000 grant to start the first eSports initiative at an HBCU. He also consults for Verizon Wireless eSports Education Initiative with Games 4 Change and remains a co-chair of the Education Committee with the Atlanta NAACP Chapter.
To learn how you can get involved with the Pathways In eSports movement contact Allysia Kizzee at Allysia@gmail.com.
