0% Contracts to Black businesses Harris Health System under fire after new report shows the hospital system had NO contracts with Black companies.
FEATURE
DEXTER MCCOY
FEATURE
DR. LESIA CRUMPTON-YOUNG
The millennial shares how he stays politically engaged while running for Fort Bend County Commissioner.
Hundreds turned out to celebrate the TSU investiture for the 13th president and raise scholarship money.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY Volume 91, issue 26 May 5, 2022
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DN To the POINT
Mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner (left) and Rapper Megan Thee Stallion (right) Photo: Sylvester Turner/Twitter
Message from the Reporter raiser which helped Texans after the infamous This is a new month! And hopefully if you are 2021 winter storm. reading this, you are in high spirits as we are slowly May 2 wasn’t just a day to celebrate Megan’s entering into our new phase of normalcy during dedication to the Houston community; it honthis pandemic (yes we are still in a pandemic). The ored both her mother and grandmother’s birthpandemic taught us how fragile life can be and day on the same day. The one thing I respect to appreciate what we have as well as the people about many Houston based hip-hop artists is around us. the fact that no matter how famous they’ve beLaura Onyeneho The first full week of May is Teacher Appreciacome, they will always remember where their tion Week. Educators were just one group of heroots are. roes during this pandemic that deserve all of their flowers. They’ve worked hard to help students adjust to virtual learn- Colin Kaepernick comeback? ing at the height of COVID, back into in-person learning. The At the height of his NFL career, quarterback Colin Kaeperwork they do for our society and communities is the Lord’s nick put everything on the line to take a stand against rawork because it truly takes unwavering dedication, passion, cial inequities and police brutality. Since then, it has ignited empathy, patience and drive to find creative ways to support conversations around activism in sports. Kaepernick hasn’t students academically, socially and emotionally in addition to played in the NFL since 2016, but the thought about returning being overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated. has certainly crossed his mind. In an interview with the “I Am Educators have the lives of our future generations in their Athlete” podcast, he said, “I know I have to find my way back hands every day, challenging and encouraging our youth to in…If I have to come in as backup, that’s fine.” He believes tobe upstanding citizens in their communities. Even though we day’s NFL should be more aligned with his views. He’s trained should be celebrating this year-round, don’t forget to honor behind the scenes for five years and now, he is back in the your favorite educators who’ve had an influence on your life headlines with news that he is looking to return to the field and career. this year and suggested the Seahawks as a potential team. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell openly encouraged Megan Thee Stallion Day teams to sign Kaepernick in 2020, but not a single team has It was only a matter of time before Megan Thee Stallion hosted him for a workout. Social media has had mixed rewould officially have a day dedicated to her in the city of views about it. Some argue that all his efforts will be for nothHouston. ing playing for a league that doesn’t truly care about Black Mayor Sylvester Turner issued a proclamation to the lives, while others are in support of free speech and his goal to three-time Grammy-winning artist and philanthropist along return. It will be interesting to see how this pans out. with keys to the city. This symbolic gesture, according to the mayor, means that “individuals who receive the key are ON THE WEB… responsible of upholding Houston’s values and represent the • Read about Black student experiences in high school AP best this city offers.” courses. Megan is no stranger to the challenge. She regularly pro- • Exotic Pop joins march against crime in honor of slain vides education, health and housing assistance through her U.S. Army solider Vanessa Guillen. nonprofit Pete and Thomas Foundation in honor of her par- • President Joe Biden is no longer considering $50k loan ents, and the launch of her “Hotties Helping Houston” fundforgiveness. Giving our educators their flowers
May 5, 2022 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News DISPARITY STUDY
Black businesses excluded from Harris Health System contracts
By ReShonda Tate
Harris County’s public health care system spends millions of dollars in contracts for goods and services. But a new disparity study shows Black businesses aren’t getting a piece of that pie.
Colette Holt & Associates, a San Antonio-based law firm, conducted the study for Harris Health, and found that while the system spent $76 million, Black businesses received ZERO contracts. In fact, minority- and women-owned businesses only received only about 8% of total contract dollars awarded by the system, even though they accounted for about 20% of the firms qualified to perform the work. Of contracts $50,000 and over in the sample size, none went to Black firms, 2% went to Hispanic-owned businesses, and less than 1% went to Asian-owned businesses. About 5% went to white women. The remaining 92% went to businesses that are not minority owned.
Harris Health has two hospitals in its system — Ben Taub Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital and a network of more than 40 clinics, health centers and specialty locations. “As one of the most diverse regions in the country, minority and women owned businesses help drive the local economy for Greater Houston as small businesses and entrepreuners. But they encounter roadblock after roadblock. And when these businesses lose out, their communities lose out as well,” said Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. The study was the first time that Harris Health has examined disparities in contracting. It reviewed a sample of contracts for construction projects, wholesale goods, such as hospital equipment and supplies, and other services. It specifically looked
at contracts valued at $50,000 and above for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 that were awarded to firms in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery and Galveston counties. The report suggested that Harris Health do more outreach and improve access to information about opportunities to contract with Harris Health, and create a senior leadership position to oversee diversity. Harris Health said it will develop a
minority and women-owned business enterprise contracting policy by June, and will appoint someone to a senior leadership position which will be responsible for implementing the policy. “What we’re seeing in disparity study after disparity study is that MWBE’s don’t have a fair shot,” Ellis said. “The findings from the Harris Health study aren’t a surprise, but now it’s documented and we can do something about it.”
Final Contract Data File Net Dollar Value Business Type Prime Contracts Subcontracts TOTAL
Total Contract Dollars $57,286,632 $19,406,875
Share of Total Contract Dollars 74.7% 25.3%
$76,693,507
100.0%
Summary of Distribution of Contract Dollars by Race and Gender (share of total dollars) NAICS
Black
TOTAL 0.0%
Hispanic
Asian
Native American
MBE
White Women
M/WBE
NonM/WBE
Total
2.3%
0.3%
0.0%
2.6%
0.3%
7.9%
92.1%
100.0%
Source: CHA analysis of Harris Health data
Olivewood Cemetery: an endangered historic site By Aswad Walker
Olivewood Cemetery, the oldest African American cemetery still in existence in Houston, was recently named one of “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation of 2022 (NTHP). “Olivewood Cemetery is tremendously significant in American history because it connects us directly to the powerful stories of Black men and women who were brought to this country enslaved, participated in the earliest Juneteenth celebrations of their emancipation in 1865, built Houston’s Black community, and went on to vote and run for elective office as free citizens,” said Katherine MaloneFrance, chief preservation officer, NTHP.
Olivewood Cemetery. Photo by Jasmine Lee.
For over three decades, the NTHP has brought awareness to the threats many historic sites face by placing them on their “Endangered Historic Places” list. Olivewood Cemetary’s addition to this list is a very public recognition of the ever-growing threat of increased flooding in the Houston area due to the climate crisis, as well as other
threats, including vandalism, to the sanctity of the cemetery. Still, flooding is considered the site’s greatest threat. Major flooding events, such as the extreme flooding in 2016 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017, not only submerged Olivewood Cemetery, but the floodwater can also dislodge and damage headstones. Incorporated in
1875, Olivewood Cemetery is the oldest African American cemetery remaining in Houston. Of the nearly 4,000 burials, roughly a quarter of the individuals at rest in Olivewood experienced the horrors of enslavement, while many were born post-Emancipation. Olivewood Cemetery is also the final resting place for three of the four founders of Houston’s Emancipation Park, and many other pillars of the city’s early Black community. Since 2003, the Descendants of Olivewood, Inc. have endeavored to preserve the dignity and history of Olivewood Cemetery with countless hours of hard work alongside the many volunteers that have graced Olivewood Cemetery.
“Olivewood is a place where you can share the same space as historic figures like Richard Allen or Frank Vance,” said
Margott Williams, president of Descendants of Olivewood. “Headstones tell the story of how towns, cities, and nations are built.”
VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 26 - MAY 5, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate
Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho
Creative Director Michael Grant
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Administrative Asst. Stacey Palmer
Photographers Jimmie Aggison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
4 | May 5, 2022 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News
With abortion in jeopardy, minority women have most to lose
Associated Press
If you are Black or Hispanic in a conservative state that already limits access to abortions, you are far more likely than a white woman to have one. And if the U.S. Supreme court allows states to further restrict or even ban abortions, minority women will bear the brunt of it, according to statistics analyzed by The Associated Press. The potential impact on minority women became all the more clear with the recent leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion suggesting the court’s conservative majority is poised to overturn the landmark 1973 decision legalizing abortion. The draft decision is not yet final but it sent shockwaves through the country. Overturning the Roe v. Wade decision would give states authority to decide abortion’s legality. Roughly half, largely in the South and Midwest, are likely to quickly ban abortion. When it comes to the effect on minority women, the numbers are unambiguous. In Texas, people of color comprise 59% of the population but 74% of women receiving abortions, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, which tracks health statistics. In Mississippi, they’re 44% of the population and 81% of those receiving abortions. The numbers in Alabama are 35% and 69%. In Louisiana, minorities represent 42% of the population, according to the state Health Department, and about 72% of those receiving abortions. “Abortion restrictions are racist,” said Cathy Torres, an organizing manager with Frontera Fund, a Texas organization that helps women pay for abortions. “They directly impact people of color, Black, brown, Indigenous people ... people who are trying to make ends meet.”
The Mississippi director for Planned Parenthood Southeast, Tyler Harden, tells an audience of reproductive rights supporters that efforts to limit abortion access are “just another form of oppression” for women of color, at a rally in Smith Park Jackson, Miss. AP
Why the great disparities? Laurie Bertram Roberts, executive director of the Alabama-based Yellowhammer Fund, which provides financial support for women seeking abortion, said women of color in states with restrictive abortion laws often have limited access to health care and a lack of choices for effective birth control. Schools often have ineffective or inadequate sex education. If abortions are outlawed, those same women — often poor — will likely have the hardest time traveling to distant parts of the country to terminate pregnancies or raising children they might struggle to afford, said Roberts, who is Black and once volunteered at Mississippi’s only abortion
clinic. “We’re talking about folks who are already marginalized,” Roberts said. Amanda Furdge, who is Black, was one of those women. She was a single, unemployed college student already raising one baby in 2014 when she found out she was pregnant with another. She said she didn’t know how she could afford another child. She’d had two abortions in Chicago. Getting access to an abortion provider there was no problem, Furdge said. But now she was in Mississippi, having moved home to escape an abusive relationship. Misled by advertising, she first went to a crisis pregnancy center that tried to talk her out of an abortion. By the time she
found the abortion clinic, she was too far along to have the procedure. She’s not surprised by the latest news on the Supreme Court’s likely decision. Most people who aren’t affected don’t consider the stakes. “People are going to have to vote,” said Furdge, 34, who is happily raising her now 7-year-old son but continues to advocate for women having the right to choose. “People are going to have to put the people in place to make the decisions that align with their values. When they don’t, things like this happen.” Torres said historically, anti-abortion laws have been crafted in ways that hurt low-income women. She pointed to the Hyde Amendment, a 1980 law that prevents the use of federal funds to pay for abortions except in rare cases. She also cited the 2021 Texas law that bans abortion after around six weeks of pregnancy. Where she lives, near the U.S.-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley, women are forced to travel to obtain abortions and must pass in-state border patrol checkpoints where they have to disclose their citizenship status, she said. Regardless of what legislators say, Torres insisted, the intent is to target women of color, to control their bodies: “They know who these restrictions are going to affect. They know that, but they don’t care.” Across the country, U.S. Census Bureau information analyzed by The Associated Press shows fewer Black and Hispanic women have health insurance, especially in states with tight abortion restrictions. For example, in Texas, Mississippi and Georgia, at least 16% of Black women and 36% of Latinas were uninsured in 2019, some of the highest such rates in the country.
Sugar Land police chief set to retire Defender News Service
Eric Robins, police chief for Sugar Land Police Department retires after more than three decades of service.
Eric Robins, police chief for Sugar Land Police Department, has announced his retirement after 33 years of service. His total number of years with SLPD includes four years as a police chief. Robins, a native Houstonian, spent his entire career with SLPD, first joining the agency in 1992 as a detective before he climbed up the ranks as Assistant Police Chief. He was promoted to Police Chief in 2018. “I’d like to thank Eric for his unwavering service to our community,” said Michael
Goodrum, city manager for City of Sugar Land “His selfless commitment to public service has ensured we remain among the safest cities in the nation.” The city added that strategies and programs implemented under Robins directly contributed to the lowest crime rate on record, including an initiative to increase police visibility and created special enforcement teams to target high crime patterns. “I entered this industry to be a change agent, and I feel I have achieved that,” said Robins in a statement. “I am hopefully
leaving the department with a positive vision for the future. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve this community alongside the men and women of the SLPD. I encourage my colleagues to continue working with commitment and desire to keep the city of Sugar Land the flourishing and safest city in the area.” A comprehensive, nationwide search is underway for the next police chief for Sugar Land. In the meantime, Assistant City Manager Doug Brinkley will take over as interim police chief.
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DN News REPORT
ONLY 47% MAKE ENOUGH TO AFFORD HOUSING IN HOUSTON Defender News Service
Galveston County. In a newly released report from the HousJennifer Wauhob is the chair of the Houston Association of Realtors, data collected ton Association of Realtors. She said to not shows that homebuyers in let the numbers stop you Houston need 26.9% more from house hunting. income than they did a “I think it’s good to keep INCOME NEEDED TO year ago to afford a mediin mind that we have a lot AFFORD HOUSING an-priced house. The curof inventory that is berent median-priced home low that price now not as in Houston is $330,800. much as we’ve had in the Houston The HAR data shows past. But if you’re not one that only 47% of houseof the 47% who’s annual holds make enough money income can help you afford Fort Bend to afford a single-family that median home price, it home. That’s down almost doesn’t mean you can’t af10% from the same time in ford a home here in Hous2021. The report also looks at housing num- ton,” she said. bers based on counties. The data shows that Aldine is the most As far as affordable housing in Mont- affordable area to buy a home right now. To gomery County, Willis is the most afford- see the whole report at HAR.com. able. In Brazoria County, Angleton tops The median price of a home has inthe list. You can get the most for your creased by almost $80,000 since the panmoney in La Marque if you’re buying in demic started.
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DN Feature
Project Row Houses leads renovation of Eldorado Ballroom
Defender News Service
One of the nation’s most acclaimed venues for Black musicians is getting a major facelift. The historic Eldorado Ballroom, also known as “ The Rado,” was founded by Houstonians Anna Johnson Dupree and Clarence A. Dupree in 1939, when segregation laws prevented Black Americans from socializing in the same venues as Anna and Clarence Dupree in 1949 whites. Project Row Houses, whose mission is to empower people and enrich communities through engagement, art and direct action, leads the project with an investment of $9.675 million that will bring the Third Ward building back to the cultural, social and economic hub of the community that it once was. The rehabilitation will include restoring the original 10,000-square foot building and its historic fixtures and finishes. Although two fires destroyed much of the interior of the building, whenever possible, wood paneling, stucco and other original finishes and fixtures will be rehabilitated and preserved. To allow for adding modern features, Project Row Houses is adding a 5,000-square-foot annex. The annex will have space for community gatherings and meetings, a green room, a space for brides and bridegrooms to prepare for weddings, an elevator and upgraded restroom facilities. The original façade included “ribbon windows,” large windows that ran the length of the ballroom facing Emancipation Park. The ribbon windows will return to the upstairs exterior, returning to the modernist style of the original building. The project is expected to be complete in early 2023. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Eldorado Ballroom was one of the nation’s most acclaimed live venues for Black musicians and audiences and hosted performances from stars like Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, B.B. King and local legend Lightnin’ Hopkins. In the early 1970s, the ballroom was closed to the public after a period of economic stagnation and was gifted to Project Row Houses in 1999 by Hubert Finkelstein. It received a Texas Historical Marker in 2011. The rehabilitation and renovation work is led by global real estate development and management firm Hines, with architectural design by Stern and Bucek Architects and construction by Forney Construction. In keeping with
Eldorado Ballroom original exterior
Project Row Houses’ mission to support Black artists, creatives and craftspeople, the building team surpassed the goal set by the board of directors for minority contractor participation. In addition to the rehabilitation of the second-floor ballroom and the construction of the annex spaces, the first floor of the building, which originally housed retail offerings ranging from appliances and furniture to a barber and a tailor, will be renovated to feature a café and community market, a nonprofit art gallery and flexible meeting and community space. The $9.675 million campaign, co-chaired by Anita Smith, Hasty Johnson and Chris Williams, has received support from the Project Row Houses Board of Directors, Kinder Foundation, Houston Endowment, Brown Foundation and a diverse range of long-time and newly-engaged Project Row Houses supporters. “Project Row Houses is grateful for all who have joined us to make this project possible,” said Eureka Gilkey, executive director of Project Row Houses. “The Eldorado Ballroom, from the moment its doors opened, has always been the soul of the Third Ward. “As creative placekeepers with a deep commitment to our neighborhood, Project Row Houses is as proud to be preserving the history of this storied venue as we are to be preparing it to serve as a center for Black art, culture and community long into the future. We can’t wait to celebrate with our friends, partners and neighbors when the lights go down, the band
Eldorado Rendering
hits the stage, and the ‘Rado is reborn.” Rich Kinder, chairman of the Kinder Foundation said, “Our investment in the Third Ward and Project Row Houses remains long-term in focus and our support of Eldorado Ballroom recognizes its unique place in Third Ward and Houston history. We are proud to support the effort to restore this jewel of the community and bring the building back to life, restoring a cultural resource and social center that will continue to have a meaningful impact on the neighborhood and its residents.” “Eldorado Ballroom holds a distinct place in the history of the Third Ward and Houston. We at Hines have been honored to be able to
bring our expertise to the renovation of this landmark and to assist in bringing the building back to the needed community gathering center in originally was,” said Hasty Johnson, vice chairman of Hines. “This has been an extremely special project to work on because the building was more than a musical venue, it was a gathering space that brought the community together and it’s rare when a building like that survives,” said David Bucek, principal at Stern & Bucek Architects. “The building exudes optimism. It was quality space and it is going to be returning to that, and will allow for generations of residents to be in the space together creating new memories.”
2022_CTW-30455_ROY_Print_Houston_The Defender_ENG_4.812x13_05-05-22_F.pdf
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DN Education Senior primary care centered on
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PVAMU alumna and TEDxPVAMU 2022 presenter Ivy Walls.
PVAMU hosts TEDx talk By Aswad Walker
Prairie View A&M University recently hosted its second TEDx talk, officially named ‘TEDXPVAMU 2022 – Becoming an Outlier.’ The theme for this year’s PVAMU TEDx talk came from the national bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers” which just so happens to be required reading within the Honors Program at PVAMU. “The goal of this event is to deconstruct the false narrative placed in African Americans and other marginalized communities, while also showcasing Prairie View to the world,” said Taylon Owens, founding organizer for TEDxPVAMU. “Last year we focused on ‘Unlocking Your Mind,’ and this year we are highlighting what it means to become an outlier.” Kendall Lemons, a PVAMU senior mathematics and mechanical engineering major, said attending last year’s TEDxPVAMU
event inspired him to not only attend the 2022 version, but to join in and become one of the organizers. “Last year, I got to witness the time and dedication devoted to creating Prairie View’s first-ever TEDx Talk,” said Lemons. “It was this same talk that brought me here today as this year’s TEDx organizer.” Lemons said he was proud of the work students, faculty and other school administrators at PVAMU put in to make the events back-to-back successes. “History was made as Prairie View hosted its first-ever TEDx event last year. As just the second school in the A&M System and one of only a handful of HBCUs, we wanted to keep the momentum by adding a second event this year. This year, we’re sharing the idea of standing out from the crowd and being different. We’re sharing the idea of becoming an outlier,” said Lemons. C
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DN In Focus
What REALLY Want
4
Getting the house all to ourselves
Most mothers are technically work-at-home moms because their time is spent serving their families in one way or another. Many moms say they’d love to put their feet up in the comfort of their own living rooms without being asked to cook, clean, find something or break up fights. “Last year, my husband packed up the kids after breakfast and didn’t come back until dinnertime. And they brought dinner back. It was absolute Heaven,” said mother of two Vicki Lawson.
5
Lounging around a hotel room alone
Even the busiest mom has a long Netflix queue and a desire to log some serious binge-watching hours. There is nothing like lying around in a fuzzy bathrobe all day, eating chocolate-covered strawberries and catching up on the latest season of your favorite guilty pleasure TV show. So book mom a local hotel room for the day (or night) and allow her to indulge in peace.
6
Hanging out with our own mother
Part of the reason moms are always so busy on Mother’s Day is because they’re also trying to show gratitude and appreciation for their own
moms (and usually mother-in-laws, too). That means they don’t get a lot of time to bask in any celebratory glow themselves. “We want to spend the day at a nice restaurant, spa, or salon with our moms, so neither one of us has to do anything for anybody,” said Payne.
7
Pampering ourselves
Pampering means different things to different moms—some of us love a massage, some of us crave a fresh mani and pedi, and some of us just want time with our girlfriends. But here’s a tip: Ask us what we want before getting us a gift card. What counts as pampering for some women is just plain annoying or uncomfortable for others. “One year my kids got me a gift card to a massage place. I hate massages. They irritate my skin, so it was a complete waste of money,” said Angela Arding. “If the kids, or dad if he’s doing the buying, would just take time to ask, it can make a world of difference.”
8
special day,” and we ask that our kids direct all grievances to some other responsible adult during their waking hours.
9
Having a family adventure (that we don’t have to plan)
Not all moms want a break from their kids, but even those women would still love a break from the drudgery of parenthood. We want to pack the family up and spend the day doing something unusual, adventurous, or just plain fun—a day trip to somewhere new, ziplining, and kayaking are just some ideas. But we do NOT want to handle any of the planning and logistics, because that would make it just another day of “momming.”
When it comes to what to get your mom for Mother’s Day, chances are you decided on the usual – flowers, bath and body products, candles, etc. And while most mothers will smile and say, ‘Thank you, baby, this is just what I wanted,’ a new survey shows it’s often not what they want. The survey from Time2Play.com shows what happens when moms stop being polite and start getting real. We asked readers to weigh in and their responses match up. Here
are 10 things moms say they want most.
1
A nap (Rest, relaxation)
The number one answer? A nap. Moms in 18 states selected rest as what they wanted above everything else. This isn’t surprising since women were spending an average of 28 hours a week doing unpaid caregiving work. “I work all day, then come home and work some more,” said mother of three young children, Angela Arding. “There are just never
enough hours in the day. The best gift for me would just be an opportunity to really rest.”
2
The gift of time
“Since my kids have gotten older, they rarely have time for me. The best gift for me would be if they could push pause on their lives for that day and spend it with me,” said mother Lawonda Smith. For some moms, it’s fun to see what their children are thinking — whether it’s funny or serious — and if you take five to 10 minutes away
from sports, games or TV to write your mom a message, she’ll know you think she’s important.
3
Dinner out
According to the survey, Moms would also like a break from cooking. “A meal I don’t cook” was the number one pick for moms in 14 states. “Sometimes I feel like my name is ‘Mom, what’s for dinner,’” said mother of four Lisa Payne. “So not having to cook would make my day.
Kid-free day
66% Sleep
30% A day off or alone time
30%
Basking in silence
Getting to spend the whole day alone may not be possible, but some moms say they just want a little peace and quiet. They want a moratorium on whining, complaining, grumbling, or otherwise commenting on how much effort everyone is putting into “mom’s
A spa day or massage
11%
10
By ReShonda Tate
WHAT MOMS WANT
No mom guilt
What does it say about the state of American motherhood that the ultimate gift for many moms is a day where they don’t have to feel like a mom? Nothing us mothers don’t already know: that every other day of the year, we’re under-supported and overburdened, undervalued and overlooked. “My first Mother’s Day as a mom of two. I had spent the last two months trying, and failing, to balance caring for my small children and caring for my small business; caring for myself was out of the question. I was spending my days cooking and cleaning and Zoom-schooling, and my nights emailing and scheduling and praying my newborn son would sleep long enough to let me cross just one more item off the to-do list,” said Marshall Plan for Moms founder Reshma Saujani. “By the time May came around, my prevailing emotion wasn’t exactly gratitude for the gift of motherhood — it was overwhelming, all-encompassing exhaustion. That Mother’s Day, what I wanted most — what I needed most — wasn’t a scented candle, or a day with my kids. What I needed was time to myself; time spent being anything but a mother.”
DN ONLINE
5 ways to destress this Mother’s Day
A vacation
7% A night or weekend alone in a hotel
5%
A clean home
2%
Recognition and appreciation
2%
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Profile
Tannie Coward fights to raise awareness of heart disease
By Laura Oneyho
hereditary. It’s nothing I did in particular but they wanted to keep me a few days to see how damaged my heart was.
When it comes to Black women and other people of color, raising awareness about heath disparities in the community doesn’t stop at national themed months. It is an everyday journey of learning and unlearning poor health choices, understanding systemic barriers, lack of access, self-advocacy and quality care. According to the American Heart Association, half of all Black women in the United States have some form of heart disease, but only 1 in 5 Black women believes it is personally a risk. Tannie Coward, 60, is a Houston resident whose life changed instantly when she was diagnosed with heart failure. The former court service officer and wedding and event planning business owner put her career at a halt to prioritize her health while helping other women through a new initiative called Hear Your Heart. It offers tailored solutions and educational content to spark proactive conversations about heart failure and action steps around it. The Defender spoke with Coward about life before her diagnosis, her journey to accessing quality care from a Black women’s perspective, and the lessons she has learned along the way.
Defender: Talk about the decisions you had to make after your diagnosis COWARD: I immediately quit my job
because it was stressful. I worked for 33 years at my job so I was already able to retire. Same with my wedding an event planning business. After my diagnosis everything made sense about why I was so tired after my events. Defender: What was your healthcare experience like? COWARD: Before my diagnosis, I
would go for my regular checkups, I would listen to what the doctor said and never question them because they were experts. Now after my diagnosis, my outlook is entirely different. I understand that these medical professionals are experts but they are not experts to my body. I’m a big advocate for myself, other women of color, and women with heart disease. When I go to the doctor, I have a notepad to take notes. If I have questions, I’m not leaving the office until all my questions are answered. I should have dug a little deeper.
Defender: How was life before your diagnosis with heart failure? TANNIE COWARD: Life was pretty
fast-paced. I was a court service officer for Harris county for approximately 20 years. I worked in the criminal justice field in Houston. In total I worked in the field for 33 years. It was a pretty stressful job. I was very active and had my own business as a wedding and event planner and been an entrepreneur for about 15 years. I played golf, I was the president of a book club. I was always on the go and never slowed down. Defender: When did you feel something was wrong? COWARD: I’d always felt that there
was something off with me. I just didn’t know what it was. This happened about 15 years ago. I was always short of breath, I gained quite a bit of weight. I went to my primary care doctor many times and was given a diagnosis of acid reflux. I’m at the age of menopause so I was told it was normal for me to gain weight. I took medicine and I thought it was working and it wasn’t and I believed the doctor because she’s an expert. Things continued to get worse. Defender: What led to your official
Defender: Who did you lean on for emotional and mental support? COWARD: My support system was my
Tannie Coward, Houston based advocate for women with heart disease.
DN
Read what Tannie Coward learned about navigating the healthcare system at DefenderNetwork.com
I understand that these medical professionals are experts but they are not experts to my body. I’m a big advocate for myself.” diagnosis? COWARD: I had an upper respiratory
infection because it was getting hard for me to breathe at night. I woke up gasping
for air. So I went to the urgent care in the area where I live. The doctor took some x-rays and had a shocked look on his face and told my fiancé at the time to take me to a large hospital along with my x-rays on a jump drive. The doctor wasn’t at liberty to say what he thought it was without verifying it at the hospital. The doctor at the hospital took me to do x-rays again and I had already been there for five days running tests. A cardiologist came in to ask about my family history. My dad died of a massive heart attack at age 45. My older brother has congestive heart failure. I learned that the doctors removed 38 pounds of fluid out of me. That is when I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, meaning that it is
family. I got diagnosed seven years ago and I’ve been married for seven. I was planning my wedding at the same time. My husband supported me. I have three adult children who continue to stand by me. I joined a support group of women and people who have heart disease. It’s one thing for family to support me, but they have no idea what I’m going through, so it was good to find a safe space to share my challenges. Defender: How did you learn about the Hear Your Heart Initiative? COWARD: I’m an ambassador for a
program called Women Heart. What I did was turn my mess into a message. I couldn’t find anyone who looked like me and had heart disease. I searched the internet for groups, and I learned that organizations contact Women Heart and ask them for someone who can speak on certain topics. The board was looking for a woman of color who could be an advocate. That’s how I got connected with the Hear Your Heart Initiative. It gives me the opportunity to share my story with other women.
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DEFENDER NETWORK
Making a difference one card at a time Bank of America will become the first U.S.-based bank to transition all of our credit and debit plastic cards to at least 80% recycled plastic beginning in 2023 — an innovation that we expect will reduce single-use plastic by more than 235 tons per year. Not bad for a card that weighs only 0.18 ounces. So, with recycled plastic in your wallet and a digital wallet on your phone, you’re joining a movement to protect our planet. “We’re working alongside our clients and partners here in Houston to help shape the low-carbon, clean energy future we all want. As our clients reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we offer innovative ideas, our talented team and financing to help them meet their net-zero goals.”
Hong Ogle President, Bank of America Houston
What would you like the power to do?® Learn more at bankofamerica.com/houston
Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.
12 | May 5, 2022 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
Dexter McCoy
talks politics and youth engagement By Laura Onyeneho
It’s no secret that many political leaders who represent local, state and the federal government are older. The national median age is 38 years old, yet the average age of members of the House of Representatives is 59 and the average age is 63.9 in the U.S. Senate. Out of the 50 U.S governors 32 of them are 60 or older. The U.S government doesn’t reflect the growing young demographic that it is supposed to represent. Millennials and Gen Z have grown to become the largest voting bloc, and some believe that their open-mindedness, values and passion for social justice provides hope at a time when the trust in government is at a low point. There are concerns that when young people are disconnected and disengaged from the political process, a major portion of the population has little or no voice in the decisions that impact their lives. Dexter McCoy is the candidate for Fort Bend County Commissioner, Precinct 4. As a young millennial, he wants to stay politically engaged by running for office and gaining a seat at the decision-making table. He spoke to the Defender to give insight on youth participation in the voting process and his experience running as a young candidate. Defender: Who is Dexter McCoy and what is your connection with the community here? Dexter McCoy: I’m a husband with a
soon-to-be father and it will be a baby girl so I’m super excited about that. I’m a product of this community. I grew up in Mission Bend where I met the love of my life who is now my wife. We met when we were 12 years old. I’ve had great opportunities to work in the Obama administration to come back being a district administrator in Fort Bend ISD for a number of years and most recently to have served as chief of staff to our Fort Bend County judge. I’m deeply engaged and passionate about this community. And while I could have stayed in D.C. and had a lucrative career,
DN
Dexter McCoy canvasses around the neighborhood.
I came back because this is where my heart has always been. Defender: Was seeking political office a career goal or did you transition into the idea? McCoy: I went to school and graduated
with a degree in journalism and minor in political science. I’ve always been interested in how our public institutions work for people. It’s actually one of the reasons why I love journalism because I learned how to ask the critical questions and get a real understanding of what’s on the ground and connecting people to come up with solutions. My interest in public service sparked in 2004, when soon-to-be Senator Obama gave his speech at the Democratic National Convention. When he said the line, we have to eradicate the slander that Black children reading a book is acting white, that spoke to me. I was bullied a lot in school because I was different than what the stereotyped Black person should be. Even his example on service is something I desire to emulate and I carried that through my time as student body president and chair of Boston council of undergraduate student presidents. I got to work on a lot of issues in the greater Boston area like public safety and transportation. I’ve always had an interest in public service. Running for office at this time wasn’t something I was planning on, considering my desire to want to build and grow a family, but this tugged on my heart strings and I had to jump in.
Watch more of this interview online at DefenderNetwork.com
CLASSIFIED LEGAL NOTICE The Houston Independent School District is soliciting Requests for Proposal (RFP) via the district’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may login to view specifications and submit their responses at the following link https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 10:00 a.m. (CST) Thursday, May 26, 2022, for the following solicitation(s): • RFP 22-02-14 Nutrition Services – Agricultural & Farming Supplies and Equipment Pre-proposal conferences via Microsoft Teams will be held in conjunction with these RFP’s. Information regarding dates, times, and a link to join the meeting is located within the electronic bidding portal under the “Event Details” tab specific to the solicitation.
LEGAL NOTICE The Houston Independent School District is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP) via the District’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may login to view specifications and submit their responses at the following link https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 10:00 A.M. (CST) Monday, May 23, 2022, for the following solicitation: • RFP 22-09-12 Nursing Services Pre-proposal conferences via Microsoft Teams will be held in conjunction with these RFP’s. Information regarding dates, times, and a link to join the meeting can be located within the electronic bidding portal under the “Event Details” tab specific to this solicitation.
The HARRIS CENTER For Mental Health and IDD (formally known as Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County) will be accepting proposals for the following:
AGENCY WIDE JANITORIAL SERVICES
Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Department located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7116 and/or via The HARRIS CENTER website www. theharriscenter.org or the Electronic State Business Daily Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/, beginning Monday, May 9, 2022. A Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for, Monday, May 16, 2022 @ 9:00 a.m., 9401 Southwest Freeway. Non-Mandatory site visits are scheduled for Monday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Monday, May 23, 2022. Proposals must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in a sealed envelope marked “RFP - AGENCY WIDE JANITORIAL SERVICES - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022 @ 11:00 A.M.”. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to James Blunt, Buyer II via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E-mail questions to james.blunt@mhmraharris.org cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. Historically Underutilized Businesses, including Minority-Owned Businesses and Women-Owned Businesses, are encouraged to participate. The HARRIS CENTER reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.
May 5, 2022 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
President Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, makes her grand entry with the help of TSU’s Ocean of Soul during the inaugural President’s Tiger Ball. Photos by Jimmie Aggison
Inaugural President’s
TSU Tiger Ball By Aswad Walker
The TSU Board of Regents, TSU Foundation Board Trustees and President Lesia L. Crumpton-Young recently joined forces to put on the inaugural “President’s Tiger Ball,” an event created for “supporting scholarships and transformation” at the Third Ward-based HBCU. Held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, the “President’s Tiger Ball” was advertised as “an evening of entertainment, inspiration and fundraising” for the benefit of TSU
students. Sponsors and attendees reveled in the fact that by investing in the event, they were directly supporting TSU’s efforts to provide students with a quality education and vibrant student experience, and assist them in becoming successful and productive leaders locally, nationally and globally. There were too many highlight moments to list them all, including the event’s “Parade of Partners,” led in by what some call the greatest marching band in the known universe —the TSU Ocean of Soul!
Bishop James Dixon
TSU Regent Marilyn Rose (c) is accompanied by her husband, Lynden and Congressman Al Green.
Maynard Daffin Sr. and his wife Mary join the Parade of Partners.
Argentina James, President/CEO of HillDay Public Relations, welcomes TSU President Lesia L. Crumpton-Young.
Guests attend the Tiger Ball.
TSU’s Ocean of Soul performed.
SEE JIMMIE AGGISON’S MEGA PHOTO GALLERY OF THE GALA.
The event was full of the latest fashions.
Mister and Miss Texas Southern University, Montgomery Morris and Mariah Campbell.
14 | May 5, 2022 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports Texas Southern senior third baseman Jeremy Almaguer went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored three runs and had one RBI during the Tigers’ 11-1 win at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Sports Briefs Texans take Stafford product Jalen Pitre
The Texans stayed local for their second-round pick when they selected Baylor and Stafford High School standout safety Jalen Pitre with the No. 37 overall pick of Jalen Pitre the NFL Draft.
Prairie View junior track and field athlete Aliya Beechum finished fourth in the javelin (32.32m) during the Fred Duckett Twilight Meet at Rice.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
TEXANS FIRST-ROUND PICK
KENYON GREEN
Pitre, the Big 12’s Player of the Year and All-American in 2021, helps continue the remake of Lovie Smith’s secondary as he will be a candidate to immediately fill the void of departed Justin Reid at safety.
TSU women’s golf team excels
The TSU Lady Tigers finished in third place at the National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship last weekend. Grad student Rev Alcantara had a 1-over par final round giving her a Rev Alcantara 155 (82-73) total to finish in third place individually. Freshman Kennedi Lee was two strokes back on 157 (78-79) and placed 5th.
Two Rockets to participate in EuroBasket 2022 Houston Rockets Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba both have plans to play in FIBA Europe’s EuroBasket 2022 tournament this fall. Sengun will compete for Alperen Turkey and Garuba Sengun will be playing for Spain. EuroBasket 2022 tips off Sept. 1 and is scheduled to end as late as Sept. 18, which gives the players just enough time Usman Garuba to get back to the United States to start the Rockets’ 2022-23 season.
Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green (55) blocks out Kent State defensive lineman CJ West (50) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in College Station, Texas. AP Photo/Sam Craft By Terrance Harris
Kenyon Green has always stayed close to home after starring for the Atascocita football program. The five-star offensive lineman recruit didn’t go far when as the state’s top recruit in 2019 he chose the Texas A&M Aggies to continue his education. But Kenyon Green last week, huddled at home among family and friends for the first round of the NFL Draft, Green wasn’t sure where his football talents would land him. With the No. 15 overall pick on the clock, an 832 area code popped up on Green’s cell phone. A thought instantly popped into his head. “I’m staying home,” he said. “I’m staying home.” Indeed he is. On the other end of the line was Texans general manager Nick Caserio letting Green know his hometown team was about to select him with the No. 15 pick in the draft. It was a dream come true that Green had never dared to dream. “I was just shocked,” Green said. “I was just truly just thanking God for this opportunity being here, being able to stay home and play for my city. So, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. I’m going to be the best player, best
person you can ever meet, talk to.” Everything about Green’s DNA says he should be just that. The 6-foot-4, 324-pound versatile offensive lineman is projected to come in and immediately start for the Texans at offensive guard, helping to improve the interior of the line which has struggled as of late. A two-time consensus All-American at Texas A&M, he played at four different offensive line positions while starting all 35 games of his career over three years after coming in as a member of one of Jimbo Fisher’s highly ranked classes at A&M. Center was the only position Green didn’t start at while in College Station. He spent much of his time in college starting at either right guard or left guard for the Aggies. Green now has a chance to live a dream that was once a far-off thought as a kid growing up in the Houston area. The reality of what he could achieve became more real once he started participating in elite camps in high school. “I would say you have it when you are little,” Green said of his dreams of playing professional football. “But when I realized I can actually play this game and make a living off of it, it was probably my senior year of high school when I went to the opening of an Under Armour account and seeing that road that other players took to get there that played in those type of games. I’m there, so I just have
to keep the right mindset, and I’m glad I did. I’m here right now.” Now he is anxious to be a part of the Texans’ turnaround. “Going to A&M, a big school how it is now, all we did was...put our heads down and worked,” Green said. “Then right now they’re on the building stages of being a powerhouse in the SEC, so I’m coming with the same mentality. Put my head down and work and then bring people with me.” Green, who played in playoff games at NRG Stadium when he starred for Atascocita, said it was a surreal feeling when he and fellow first-round pick Derek Stingley walked into the stadium as members of the Texans for the first time last week. “Derek [and I were] talking about it walking in, saying ‘we’ after they pick you,” Green recalled. “You say whatever team you go to, but we’re saying ‘we.’ What we need, what we need to do for this team to get better, so just changing your mind frame on that. It’s a blessing being able to do this and be a part of this. It’s just the beginning.” It’s all still a little surreal but Green says it’s about earning the “we.” “It humbles you too because you still have a lot of work to do,” he said. “This is just the beginning. They gave you the opportunity, so now you got to put your head down and work.”
May 5, 2022 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports
QASIM BOYD DICKINSON PG
ON THE RISE
By Jodie B. Jiles
Incoming Dickinson High School junior point guard Qasim Boyd is crossing his “T’s” and dotting his “I’s” this summer in preparation for a junior season where he will be competing for the starting spot after senior Seth Jones has moved on to college. Last season, Boyd was a gamer on defense earning him minutes for his ability to anticipate turnovers and make quick outlet passes for easy baskets in transition. The skills are there when it comes to creating offense off the dribble and Boyd can make the right passes for buckets to teammates. Fans can expect to see Boyd’s name as a player to watch by the end of next season under the tutelage of Hall of Fame coach Jason Wilson. The Defender spoke with Boyd after an AAU tournament match where he was the player of the game. He discussed his style of play, recruiting, advice to others and more.
STYLE OF PLAY “Pace runs the game all the time.” 33-4 RECORD SEASON “It was a real good season. We had a lot of seniors and it was a hard-fought season. We tried our best to get to the state championship.” RECRUITING “It is kind of in the middle between Georgia and [Texas] A&M.” ADVICE TO OTHERS “Just work hard. Don’t take anything for granted and do what you do.”
ABOUT QASIM BOYD
Twitter: @QasimBoyd_2 Height: 5-feet-11 AAU team: LivOn Blue Chips 2024 Secondary sport: Football (quarterback) Players he studies: Devin Booker and Kyrie Irving Key fact: Averaged nearly two steals a game as a sophomore
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DEFENDER NETWORK