Even during Mental Health Awareness Month, folk show they are unaware of Black humanity, or they just straight dismiss it. For example, New York subway rider Jordan Neely was having an obvious mental episode, and according to fellow passengers, was yelling, “I don’t have food, I don’t have a drink, I’m fed up.” Minutes later, he was killed. Te lawyer for the man who choked the life out of Neely said Neely aggressively threatened his client and others. Problem is, researchers have shown that whites have a built-in fear of Black bodies that makes them exaggerate our size, height, strength and level of aggression. So, just being Black is considered threat enough to choke the life out of someone or stalk/kill a 17-year-old child on his way home from a corner store or shoot/kill a 12-year-old child playing in the park with a toy gun that you can purchase at any Toys-R-Us. Teir crime? Being Black.
Florida Law SB 1718, makes it a felony to work without papers and requires employers to verify employee citizenship, making it impossible and illegal for “undocumented” individuals to work. Te result? A mass exodus of the vast majority of Florida’s construction and restaurant workers. For the past few days, they’ve been getting the hell outta dodge. White workers attempted to fll in for them and quit the same day. Some much for immigrants stealing jobs. Te GOP wrote an anti-immigrant check that their Republican behinds can’t cash, and the Latinx folk aren’t staying around to beg for acceptance. Tey’re moving on to make a life somewhere else. Te lesson for Blackfolk?
Te criminalization of Black history (i.e. anti-CRT laws) should have us doing the same—participating in a mass exodus of anti-Black institutions, stepping out on faith to make our own way.
Tese days, all eyes are on Waco, with the anniversary of the Branch Davidian tragedy just recently passing. Google “Waco” and a gazillion movies and documentaries pop up. Showtime's “Waco: Te Afermath” is running currently, and shows how violence by the Feds made Waco a galvanizing event that gave birth to the terrorism unleashed by Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma bombing) and other anti-government, anti-police, anti-Black individuals and organizations. What’s interesting about Waco is, it’s one of the few examples in US history when law enforcement treated a group of whites like they (mis)treat Blackfolk daily. Case in point, the police bombing of the Black organization MOVE in Philadelphia (May 13, 1985), killing 11 adults and children, and leaving 250 people homeless. Everyone knows Waco. Few know anything about MOVE. And for all the GOP accusations that Blacks are violent, anti-government, anti-police thugs, it’s their own constituents who evidence shows are the biggest initiators of domestic terrorism on US soil. But hey, demonizing Blackfolk gets their constituents to the polls, political donations coming in and sky high ratings for their favorite media outlet.
• Olympic swimmers respond to scary Black/Brown drowning stats.
• Ten things mom really wants for Mother’s Day.
• Yates hurdler Madison Sweezer headed to State!
The Texas House education committee is pushing a new version of a school voucher bill that could get rid of the STARR test, remove the bill’s restriction of sexual orientation, and drastically limit the scope of the original bill.
Senate Bill 8, by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, passed the Senate last month. Its centerpiece is an education savings account program that would work like voucher programs and direct state funds to help Texas families pay for private schooling. The version of the bill approved by the Senate would be open to most K-12 students in Texas and would give parents who opt out of the public school system up to $8,000 in taxpayer money per student each year. These funds could be used to pay for a child’s private schooling and other educational expenses, such as textbooks or tutoring.
The House version of SB 8 would require students in the program to take a state assessment test, potentially adding a degree of accountability that critics have said was sorely missing.
In addition, the bill would make changes to the annual stipends that families enrolled in the program
get. It would give them about $10,500 a year if their child is educationally disadvantaged and has a disability, $9,000 if their child is educationally disadvantaged and $7,500 for every other child.
It is expected that the new version of the bill won’t be open to testimony before the committee votes on it. Zeph Capo, president of Texas American Federation of Teachers, said lawmakers are making a rushed decision.
“This committee is about to vote on a brand-new 80-page bill they haven’t read and haven’t heard a single piece of testimony on,” he said. “This feels desperate and frenzied — the worst circumstances under which to make public policy.”
The Senate version of SB 8 severely restricted classroom lessons, campus activities and educator guidance about sexual orientation and gender identity in public and charter schools up to 12th grade, with very limited exceptions. Creighton has previously told The Texas Tribune that the bill packaged education saving accounts and these restrictions together because parents he talked to view these issues as “inextricably linked.”
A new statewide ranking of school districts doing a good job of providing nutritious meals to students has been released, and two Houston-area districts have come out on top. According to the list from nonprofit research organization, Children at Risk, Aldine ISD and Houston ISD placed first and second, respectively, in terms of districts with more than 50,000 students in the state.
“So far this year, we’ve served 3,623,377 breakfasts. We’ve served 6,620,513 lunches, and that doesn’t count all the other things,” said LaTonya Goffey, superintendent of Aldine ISD. The district also supplies kids with after-school snack options.
“If a student is hungry, everything else becomes secondary,” said Goffey. “Learning won’t happen, and our carefully crafted mission statements become meaningless.”
Overall in Texas, 56% of students qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches.
“We live in an area in the state of Texas where the majority of our children come from low-income households and have the potential to be coming from a food-insecure family,” said Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at
Risk. “These free breakfasts and lunches are part of the equation to make sure kids are successful.”
While Houston has some of the highest-ranking schools on the list, it is also home to the lowest.
YES Prep, a charter school on the south side of the city, received the lowest ranking in the state, with only 17% of those eligible for free breakfast actually receiving it from the school. Meanwhile, Houston-based charter, KIPP Academy, received the lowest ranking in terms of lunch participation.
Sanborn says each school district has the same potential for providing top-notch nutrition, and the ones that have seen the most success have proactively sought new options for getting food to kids.
“They’re trying new things. For example, at a high school level, you’re seeing grab-and-go breakfast in between periods, where kids are grabbing breakfast tacos in the hall in-between classes,” said Sanborn. “At the elementary level, you might see breakfast delivered to the classroom.”
Sanborn also says schools should work to reduce the stigma surrounding receiving free school meals for children who need them.
In the last few months, Houstonians have hit the pavement in diferent parts of the city protesting against the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) takeover against Houston ISD.
With less than a month lef until the newly appointed board of managers controls the district, community activists, organizations, parents, educators, and local ofcials haven’t stopped the fght.
Democratic state lawmakers filed Senate Bill 1662, authored by state senators Carol Alvarado, Borris Miles, and John Whitmire, to make it so that TEA is not required to close a school or replace the elected school board. Te bill also gives the agency other options including a public notice to the district trustees of defciency, organizing hearings with board members, ordering the district to create a student improvement plan, and appointing a conservator and agency monitor while keeping the HISD trustees in place. Rep. Alma Allen fled a companion legislation in the Texas House. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee called for a federal government to intervene as she along with 26 other members of Congress wrote to President Joe Biden and the Department of
Education secretary calling the takeover a “violation of the civil right of the students of HISD.”
Te ACLU of Texas, the NAACP and other groups fled a federal complaint on behalf of several parents against the TEA because of its plans to remove the elected HISD board of
trustees, claiming it takes away the rights of voters who choose their school ofcials.
Te Defender followed up with Rep. Ron Reynolds to get an update on the progress of legal actions against the agency.
DEFENDER: Have you met with the TEAsinceyourlastmeetingwiththem discussingthecommunity’sconcerns overthe takeover?
RON REYNOLDS: Te communication has been somewhat limited. But what I can tell you is that, they made it plain and clear that they were moving forward with everything unless there was some action that stopped them. In other words, there was an injunction from the court. Tey [are] proceeding forward with the June 1 deadline to assemble and install the board of managers that the TEA Commissioner Mike Morath would basically select and then they’re going to bring in a new superintendent as well. Tose things are still on course, because there’s no legislative actions that would stop it. We had legislation in the house… in the senate that is unfortunately not going anywhere. Te only other action is legal action and [that] has not surfaced to bear any fruit with respects to an injunction. As we have this conversation
today, there’s been no court intervention to halt the takeover of HISD. Unless something miraculously happens. It looks as though they will complete the takeover by June 1.
DEFENDER: Local ofcials are ofen blamedforgivingalotoflipserviceand under delivering. Explain to our audiencethechallengesofpassingapiece oflegislature.
REYNOLDS: Basically you would have to have a court, a judge fle a lawsuit stating that the TEA doesn’t have authority based on XYZ. You would [need] to have legal reasoning, not just, “Oh, we don’t think it’s fair. We don’t think it’s right.” So, with the scenario as I understood, they were trying to pursue is that there was a violation of some of the civil rights. In other words, it was a civil rights complaint and this would be federal law. Tere would be more of a likelihood of success if you have the United States Department of Justice intervening on behalf of the students or the parents based on a specifc violation.
Houston Airports continues to invest in aviation by supporting the next generation of aeronautical professionals with an innovative learning environment.
On May 3, 2023, Houston City Council gave fnal approval and authorized a binding memorandum of agreement between Houston Airports and Texas Southern University. Te agreement will span fve years and will include the creation of an Aviation Education Facility at Ellington Airport.
Te two-acre facility will include:
• 22,000 square foot aircraf hangar
• 20,000 square feet of aircraf apron
• 7,200 square feet of ofce and training/classroom space
• 12,000 gallon above-ground aviation fuel tank
• Vehicle parking
“Te air transportation industry in Houston and across the United States is growing and provides career opportunities for those with the skills needed to succeed,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Earlier this year, the City provided $1 million in seed money to create a transformational health center at TSU. Tis project also will transform lives and help students prepare for the future.”
More than 500 aviation and aerospace-related companies operate in Houston. More than 23,000 aerospace and aviation professionals call Houston home. Texas Southern University currently ofers a program in aviation science and technology. Success and increased student interest are why TSU needs to expand its aviation training program. Houston Airports is supporting TSU in realizing its goal. Houston Airports, the Aviation Department of the City of Houston, has agreed to plan, design and construct an aeronautical hangar.
“Houston Airports is honored to invest in and inspire the next generation of aviation professionals,” said Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports. “Te facility at Ellington Airport continues the illustrious story of Houston’s aeronautical history. More than 100 years ago, farmers watched the U.S. Army carve runways through rice felds so the nation’s frst pilots could train for World War I. Decades later, NASA chose Ellington Airport to train for the Apollo Lunar landing. Soon, students at Texas Southern University will apply the crucial lessons learned at Ellington Airport to revolutionize the aviation industry.”
Houston Airports will invest up to $5 million to build the facility. It will be constructed on approximately two acres of land that is accessible to an existing taxi-lane connector at Ellington Airport. Because TSU is an accredited university, the Federal Aviation Administration allows Houston Airports to charge a reduced annual rent of $60,000 to lease the facilities. If the lease is extended beyond the initial fve-year period, full market rate rent shall be charged. Tere is no impact to the City of Houston’s
VOLUME 92, NUMBER 26 - MAY 11, 2023
Publisher | CEO
Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Digital Content Manager Get Current Studios
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
The
Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Photographer Jimmie Aggison
Social Media Manager Tia Alphonse Jordan Hockett
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) has approved nearly 616,000 borrowers nationwide for approximately $42 billion in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) since October 2021. PSLF covers public employees—such as teachers, firefighters, and members of law enforcement, as well as those who work for a non-profit organization—in a variety of fields by forgiving the remaining federal student loan balance for those who make the required 120 qualifying monthly payments. Between October 2021 and May 2023, the Department has approved more than 39,000 borrowers in Texas for more than $2.6 billion in loan forgiveness under temporary changes the Biden-Harris Administration made to the PSLF Program. That’s nearly $68,000 per borrower! While hundreds of thousands of Texas borrowers already have benefited from PSLF, more will benefit as the program continues.
I-45 rebuild in Harris County expected to start in 2024 & end in 2042 Interstate 45 is being widened and rerouted near and north of Downtown Houston, partly
in an attempt to reduce traffic congestion on one of the city’s most heavily traveled highways. But before the controversial infrastructure project is complete, downtown visitors
can expect decades of construction that could potentially make current traffic conditions even worse. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in a presentation last
week to the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Policy Council, said construction is expected to start next year and last until 2042 for its North Houston Highway Improvement Project. The $9.7 billion plan calls for reconstructing and rerouting I-45 from the west side of downtown to the east, aligning it with Interstates 10 and 69, while also widening the freeway between downtown and Beltway 8 to the north.
judge again denies TRO
A request for a temporary restraining order by Pappas Restaurants has been denied for a second time, and now Pappas is moving out of Hobby Airport. Houston-based Pappas and the concessionaire group it leads, 4 Families of Hobby, have been fighting to continue operating at the South Houston airport since March, when the city awarded a $10year, $470 million contract to a joint venture group led by a U.S. subsidiary of Spain-based Areas. The city has asked the Pappas-led group, which began operating concessions at Hobby in 2003, to vacate by May 11. City officials say the procurement process was fair and equitable and maximized benefits to the residents of Houston and its visitors.
By the end of the current legislative session, Texas Southern University will become the only public university not in one of the six state university systems.
Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, whose district oversees TSU, hopes to see the HBCU remain independent.
“TSU was built for African Americans. It was supposed to be the university for people of color and for those reasons it needs to stay independent,” Miles said. “And it will stay independent.”
According to a 2019 research paper published by Marcia Johnson, a professor at TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, the historically Black university is underfunded compared to other state universities.
“When the State of Texas established its funding system for colleges and universities, it did not take into consideration institutions like TSU,” Johnson, who researches education and urban issues, wrote in the paper.
Universities that are part of a system have greater access to financial benefits and resources. But despite the lack of funding, TSU has not publicly announced plans to join a system, and any talk of such draws intense reactions.
To join a system, leadership at a university discusses plans and priorities with university
systems interested in incorporating the school.
For SFA and Midwestern State University, which joined the Texas Tech University system in 2021, student and faculty input was also taken into consideration.
A university’s Board of Regents then votes for which system they wish to join. For the last step, legislatures must file and pass a bill approving the transition, which is then signed by the governor.
TSU biology major Imani Walters is in support of the university joining a system.
“University of Houston is part of a system and I can tell from being across the street from us how different it is,” Walters said of the nearby university. “I feel like they get more funding. UH’s central campus is the flagship school of a system that includes four campuses.”
Walter sees additional funding as beneficial. “It gives us more opportunity to grow and make more advancements to our school,” she said.
Walters doesn’t believe joining a system would erase TSU’s status as an HBCU, a popular opinion. She compared TSU joining a system to Prairie View, another HBCU, in the Texas A&M system.
As part of the A&M system, PV receives funding, although not as much, from the Permanent University Fund, an endowment funded by West Texas oil and gas. The Texas A&M system receives one-third of the fund, while the UT system receives two-thirds.
“If we were to do the same thing as PV, I feel that would make our students have school spirit,” Walters said. “People see how PV looks and how nice it is and that gives them school spirit.”
State Senator John Whitmire, D-Houston, like Miles, says he wants Texas Southern University to remain independent from a system.
“I don’t see the need because I think we need to protect our historically Black institutions. They are a part of our history,” Whitmire said. “I don’t see how it would benefit TSU or its students to join a system. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.”
Senator Borris D-Houston
During a recent HBCU President’s Classic, hosted by the Defender, Texas Southern University President Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, and former Prairie View A&M University President Dr. Ruth Simmons, talked about the future of their institutions when it came to systems. (*Note-Dr. Simmons comment was made in an interview with a local paper after she left the role as president).
DR. YOUNG: The future of TSU is bright. I most recently joined TSU after being provost and senior vice president at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Morgan State University is governed by its own board. It’s not part of a system. And it has, just as TSU does, the flexibility, the agility, the opportunity to be responsive to those issues that the university defines as most important. We get an opportunity to focus on what we define is our agenda. That’s one of the reasons we were able to so quickly develop a new college of transdisciplinary studies. That was unique, different, the first in the state. Because we have the type of operational structure that allows us to respond to the needs of the community that we care most about. There is no need for us to have conversations about TSU joining the system. We need to have conversations about TSU having the advocacy and the support to continue to be responsive to the needs of the students we serve and to be responsive to the needs in the state of Texas.
Bal op judg
Sen. Whitmire says investing in the HBCU is what is needed to help with funding and that he will work with the college to ensure their goals are prioritized. The senator, who sits on the financial committee, cited a recent
legislative request made by TSU as a way to increase funding.
“This is the time for a bold investment to significantly expand programs so that we can serve more students,” TSU’s President Lesia L. Crumpton-Young said in a Senate Committee on Finance meeting in early February. In the meeting, she requested nearly $1 billion in funding from state lawmakers. That request was ultimately denied.
For the 2022-2023 biennium, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recommended $61 million to TSU. This is a 15.6% decrease from the 2020-2021 biennium. The
recommendations the board makes and sends to the Legislature are based on operation and infrastructure support.
Dr. Richard Johnson, who was recently appointed to TSU’s Board of Regents, believes the university can benefit from extra funding.
“In order for the university to grow, it’s going to need resources,” Johnson said.
While Johnson acknowledged how a system can be helpful, he doesn’t see it as a top goal.
“One of the primary goals I have for Texas Southern University is to build upon a legacy of academic excellence. In order to do that, we’re going to have to focus on our student’s
academic success,” Johnson said. “The key to strengthening any university is student academic success.”
Miles also mentioned resources.
“It’s not all about finances, it could be about resources. It could be about putting quality and qualified people on the board who can go out and raise money for Texas Southern,” Miles said.
Rep. Ron Reynolds, D- Missouri City, is another opponent of TSU joining a system.
As chairman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, Reynolds says the state should work on investing in the state’s HBCUs, instead of
ending diversity, equity and inclusion policies, a focus of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
“We have a record surplus in terms of our state budget. We have a $33 billion surplus plus $11 billion in our rainy day savings account,” Reynolds said.
PVAMU could also benefit from an increase in funding, according to Reynolds, who doesn’t believe being a part of a system helps the university.
“Prairie View has been hampered with challenges from being in a system. There are some benefits, but the disadvantages outweigh the
pros,” Reynolds said. “I believe there’s been a lot of frustration from Prairie View not having the autonomy they need.”
Maintaining autonomy is why he doesn’t support TSU joining a system.
“I like the independence of Texas Southern University,” he said. “If they were to go into a system, their voice wouldn’t be able to be free and unapologetically Black.”
Shai Alise Davis is a University of Texas senior majoring in Journalism. The article is a result of a partnership between the Defender Network.
DR. SIMMONS: The opportunity that they had to make use of my experience and judgment was completely missed by a proclivity to constantly downgrade Prairie View....I don’t believe that the Board of Regents of the system is at all capable of managing the affairs of Prairie View. The simple reason for that is because they don’t know Prairie View, and they have no interest in learning. That’s why I didn’t think that the system was competent to make the call about whether or not I shouldn’t make appointments. They simply don’t know the reality well enough. They don’t care to know the reality.
TSU was built for African Americans. It was supposed to be the university for people of color and for those reasons it needs to stay independent. And it will stay independent."
Miles
By ReShonda Tate
NBA Legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be in Houston for the Texas Black Expo (TBE) Corporate Awards Luncheon honoring local business leaders, taking place during the annual Summer Celebration, May 18 - 21, 2023 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Tis year marks TBE’s 20th anniversary of serving the Black business community in Houston and throughout the state of Texas.
TBE President Jerome Love says Johnson, who is one of the most successful and respected entrepreneurs in the world, is the perfect person to kick off the conference, which has the theme of BOOM: Building Our Own Marketplace.
“BOOM stands for building our own marketplace. And when you look at Magic Johnson’s life, his businesses, how he builds Starbucks, theaters and gyms in our communities, that’s what he’s doing. Tat’s his foundation. I don’t know all of his philanthropic eforts, but I know he has invested millions back in the community and provided so many jobs. So, he’s the epitome of an entrepreneur that’s building our community,” Love said.
Te Corporate Awards luncheon will take place at the Marriott Marquis on May 19 at noon.
“We know people will leave the luncheon with greater insight and motivation to achieve their own goals afer hearing Magic speak,” Love added.
The Texas Black Expo draws thousands of attendees to Houston each year to experience an abundance of activities, workshops, shopping, giveaways and entertainment. Te Summer Celebration has something for the entire family including the Kids Adventure Zone with STEM and Robotics components, a bouncy house, face painting, games, the ever-popular Diva Dialogue panel discussion, and a line-dancing competition for seniors.
In addition, the Expo will also include a health and wellness pavilion, a beauty extravaganza, empowerment workshops, a kids and teen talent competition, live entertainment and author showcase.
“It has been our immense honor and pleasure to have served the people of Texas for 20 years through the Texas Black Expo,” said Love. “Tis event has become a staple in the local and regional business communities, with our vendors coming back year afer year. Now that we’re able to gather again in-person since the pandemic, we’re
looking forward to continuing to support small business owners, youth and the community at large.”
Te Texas Black Expo was founded on the mission of bettering the community and ofering an opportunity for African Americans to fnd success as business leaders. Trough its year-round programming, TBE has committed to building resilient businesses in the community, and helping small companies and organizations attain fundamental entrepreneurial structure needed to gain market shares against their competitors. Texas Black Expo helps to build strong families, positively impact businesses and increase the value of economic growth in Texas.
“When I started out, I didn’t know what I was doing,” Love said. “All I knew is that I wanted our community, our businesses, to have the same opportunities and economic advancement as other communities. And to see where we were then and where we are now - the support of the entire city, a lot
of the states coming in, it’s just amazing to see God’s favor and all the amaz ing people in the city of Houston and across the state that helped to make this possible.”
For more informa tion, visit www.texas blackexpo.com.
https://houstonequityfund.org/wells-fargo-open -for-business-grant-opportunity-english/
Minority-owned small businesses and nonprofts in the Houston area can apply for up to $100,000 in grant funding later this month.
A total of $8 million is available this year during the second phase of the “Open for Business” grant program, which is funded by Wells Fargo and administered by the Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity. An online application portal for grant money is scheduled to be open from 5 a.m. May 15 through 11:59 p.m. May 31, with eligible businesses and nonprofts competing to receive awards ranging from $5,000-$100,000 apiece.
To be eligible, businesses and nonprofits must have been established before Dec. 31, 2021, and be located within Houston city limits. Eligible businesses must also be “mission-aligned” and “diverse-owned” with no more than 100 employees and no more than $3 million in gross revenue during 2022, according to the Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity, which says eligible nonprofits must be historically underserved organizations with no more than 100 employees.
The grants can be used for tangible assets such as land purchases and
improvements, building construction or renovation, purchases of inventory, machinery, equipment and technology and improvements or modernizations of landscaping, parking lots, streets and utilities, among other uses.
“We are committed to bridging the economic gap in our city by supporting Houston’s underrepresented and underfunded minority-owned small businesses and nonproft organizations,” Tomas Jones, the board president for the Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity, said in a news release. “It is our continued vision and mission to facilitate transformative change in our local communities.”
Te Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity, also known as the Houston Equity Fund, was established by the City of Houston in 2021. Te Open for Business program is a three-year, $20 million initiative, with a total of $5 million having been awarded to more than 200 businesses and nonprofts during the frst phase last year.
Grant recipients during the frst phase are not eligible for awards during the second phase, but they can apply for additional funding as part of the third phase next year.
Te Houston Equity Fund says on its website that the businesses and nonprofts it selects for the funding can “demonstrate direct, tangible and meaningful impact”
related to the four pillars of the fund, which are community building, economic development, social and racial justice, and youth empowerment and education.
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD will be accepting proposals for the following: PHARMACY INVENTORY SERVICES
Specifcations may be secured from The Harris Center website www.theharriscenter.org beginning Thursday, May 18, 2023. The Harris Center utilizes Bonfre for their solicitations https://theharriscenter. bonfrehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities . Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Thursday, May 25, 2023. Proposals must be submitted by 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 15, 2023. 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.
The HARRIS CENTER For Mental Health and IDD (formally known as Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County) will be accepting Request for Proposal for the following:
FOREIGN AND SIGN LANGUAGE TRANSLATION/ INTERPRETATION SERVICES
Foreign and Sign Language Translation/Interpretation Services RFP may be secured from The Harris Center website www.theharriscenter.org beginning Wednesday, May 17, 2023. The Harris Center utilizes Bonfre for their solicitations https://theharriscenter.bonfrehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Proposals must be submitted by 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 14, 2023. 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
200
C.J. Stroud persuaded Texans to draft Nathaniel “Tank” Dell
Apparently, Texans top draft pick quarterback
C.J. Stroud and former University of Houston wide receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell became such fast friends during pre-draft workouts that Stroud convinced the Texans brass to draft Dell in the third round as one of his targets. The duo developed a bond and connection during NFL Combine. Dell asked Stroud to put in a good word for him shortly after the quarterback was drafted No.2 overall and so he did. The Texans will hold Rookie Minicamp May 12-13.
Prairie View women’s track claims
back-to-back
SWAC titles
The Prairie View women’s outdoor track and field team won the SWAC Championship for the second straight year. The Lady Panthers amassed 159 total points, while Southern finished second with 105 points and Alabama State came in third with 99 points.
Asjah Harris won the 100 and 200-meter dashes, while the 4x100-meter relay (45.02) and 4x400-meter relay (3:40.75) teams both won first place.
Prairie View interim track coach Erik Dixon was named Women’s Coach of the Year.
Jabari Smith making switch from 1 to 10 Rockets rookie forward Jabari Smith is returning to his familiar No.10 that he starred in at Auburn. The number switch was made possible after the in-season-trade of veteran Eric Gordon, who wore 10. Smith, the Rockets’ No.3 overall pick in 2022, wore the number 1 last season.
By Terrance Harris
It’s quite likely in 2023, Zoe Slaughter never thought she would be a trailblazer.
But that is certainly what Slaughter became in 2021 when she decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal to leave the University of Houston women’s golf program for Texas A&M. Slaughter made history as the first African-American player on the Aggies women’s team.
“I first heard that a year ago when I first came here,” said Slaughter, a former standout at Memorial Senior High School. “It was shocking to me, but it was just great to leave that legacy here because it’s never been done before. So, to have people know that they can come in, no matter what your skin color is, and believe in yourself and do great. I’m just happy to be able to leave a legacy.”
In the process, Slaughter is blazing a trail that will leave her name etched in the Aggies’ history for years to come. The junior earned her first collegiate win at the ICON Invitational in February, and then last month her putt on the 21st hole – the third playoff hole –delivered Texas A&M the SEC Championship in dramatic fashion, giving the Aggies one of their biggest moments ever.
Slaughter knew what was at stake and what she knew she needed to do. And she came through; her mother, Kafi Slaughter, aunt and teammates all holding their collective breaths in support from the gallery. And as soon as the putt dropped, they all went wild as Slaughter pulled out a big one for the Aggies over Mississippi State.
Slaughter’s teammates came swarming around her.
“We talked about winning going in, so, to actually do it, I was just telling them, `Guys, we did it. We actually did it,’” said Slaughter. “It was just the best feeling having them run over to me and know that they can count on me in that situation.”
The clutch putt set the stage for the Aggies to earn the No.1 seed in this week’s NCAA Regional at TPC San Antonio. A top-five finish will guarantee Texas A&M’s spot in NCAA Championships later this month.
Opportunities like this are what led Slaughter to follow head coach Gerrod Chadwell when he left UH to take the job at A&M. Slaughter talks glowingly about her freshman season at UH – which was her only campaign with the Cougars – but she knew to get to where she ultimately wants to be, which is the LPGA Tour, she needed to move on.
ZOE SLAUGHTER
School: Texas A&M
Year: Junior
Major: Psychology
High School: Memorial Senior High School
Post-Collegiate Plans: Q-School, Epson Tour and LPGA
Golf Role Models: Stacy Lewis, Brook Henderson and Tiger Woods: “I just like their grit and their fight and everything. They never back down. That’s just something I really admire and I look up to.”
“I went to Houston and I had a great time there,” said Slaughter, a psychology major. “I just needed something a little different, so I transferred to A&M and it’s been great ever since.”
The game of golf has put Slaughter on what she describes as an incredible journey.
Slaughter first picked up a club when she was eight or nine years old while spending time with her father, Rich Slaughter, and grandfather, Jake Carter. Her granddad was the captain of the golf team at Prairie View. And like him, Slaughter’s dad was a golf enthusiast, too.
She started out on the putting green while they played; long before she started playing competitively. For a while, Slaughter played golf, along with volleyball and running track. But it wasn’t long before she realized which sport she might have a future in.
“I was just going out there for fun and they kept telling me that I was pretty good at it,” Slaughter said. “So, I was like I’m going to keep doing it and see where it takes me. Now we are here.”
For the second straight year Carde Moore is headed to the state track meet, but this year she won’t be alone. This year North Forest High School is sending two dynamic runners to the state meet in hopes of bring ing back some hardware.
“This year we have Carde Moore who qualified in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.14 and Alaysha Rodriguez who qualified in the 100-meter hur dles with a personal record time of 15.04,” said track coach Clifton Terrell. “We are really proud of these athletes because it shows that they have worked hard and we have some great runners here at North Forrest.”
Moore began running track with her school in the ninth grade, but it would be her sophomore year, after running with Track Houston, that she began to take it more seriously. Prior to that, she was all about competitive cheer. Her small frame allowed her to excel in the cheer world, but would also pose some challenges on the track.
“Sometimes in races, it’s a challenge because the wind pushes me back because I’m so light. I have to focus on driving the first 10 to 15 meters and getting a good start, but I have top-end speed, so once I get into my race, my top-end speed kicks in and gives me a lead,” said Moore.
Through the years Moore has con tinuously worked to become faster. Freshman year she ran 12.95 then in her sophomore year she ran 12.10 in the regionals. By training with Sprint Nation and track Houston Moore has been able to build both speed and endurance.
Class: 2024
IG: @cardedaabraat_
Races: 100-meter, 200-meter, 4x100-meter relay
Height & weight: 4-feet-11, 93 pounds
Runner she studies: ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite artist: Future
Favorite subjects: English, science
Shout-outs: Mom
“My sophomore year was very challenging. I really had to push myself against other teams and my own teammate [Patris Mathis] that was really fast,” said Moore. This year Rodriguez will be there to help push Moore as they both compete on behalf of North Forest in hopes of bringing back medals. Rodriguez has raw talent and has just begun to scratch the surface of what she can do athletically.
“I grew up racing with my brothers and cousins just for fun, however, I began taking track seriously in the ninth grade. I’m competitive.
Prior to hurdles, Rodriquez was only a sprinter. It wouldn’t be until her sophomore season that she began running hurdles in September 2022 and then compete indoor with the 60-meter hurdles in December 2022.
“I had a friend, who ran hurdles and I saw her jumping so I wanted to try. I didn’t think I was going to go this far with it,” said Rodriguez. “Qualifying for state felt unbelievable. My first year running UIL and I made it to state. What really surprised me was my time because I had been working hard to drop that time.”
When asked how does it feel to represent North Forest at the state level both ladies responded accordingly.
“It means I have to execute because I can’t let them down,” said Rodriguez.
“It feels good because last year it was just me. Now we have two who are representing the school. Our school doesn’t get a lot of recognition so it feels good knowing there may be colleges there that might see us displaying our talent,” said Moore.
Class: 2025
@iamalaysha__
Twitter: @iamalaysha__
Races: 100-meter, 200-meter, 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, 4x100-meter relay
Height & weight: 5-feet-5, 130 pounds
Runners she studies: Laila Payne (Carnegie Vanguard), Lillian Harden (Bridgeland HS)
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite artists: Lil Baby, NBA
YoungBoy, Alkaline
Favorite subject: Algebra
Shout-outs: Coach Nathan Walker
