Houston Defender: May 13, 2021

Houston?

What is 50 Cent doing in

SPORTS

SPOTLIGHT

DESHAUN WATSON

ANTHONY COLLIER

Many are questioning whether the Texans have moved on from their quarterback.

Volume 90, issue 28 May 13, 2021

The TSU alum and full-time UT law student is making a name for himself and changing the game. facebook.com/defendernetwork twitter.com/defendernetwork

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DN To the POINT

LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD

COVID-19 VACCINE HESITANCY As more Americans receive coronavirus vaccines, the percentage who express hesitancy about doing so has decreased. Readers weigh in on why they’re hesitant.

Maureen Tilghman “Right now, I’m scared to get it. It hasn’t been tested enough for me to feel comfortable getting it. So I haven’t yet.”

Ashley P. Thomas “I have reservations about the vaccine and it’s effects.”

Menasha Edmondson Drain “I don’t plan on getting it and I never had the flu shot or the flu I’m not big on shots period. I’m still planning to continue social distancing and wearing my mask.”

Varsavina Cooper “In a nutshell I’m not getting it because I just feel like it was put together too fast... I also have never gotten the flu shot either so I’m not really big on shots anyway.”

Kimberlee White “I have not. No intentions to do so.”

Sally Lewis “For me it’s because I don’t plan to.

I also do not get the flu shot. I have Lupus and high blood pressure but, I am afraid to get it. And I am afraid to be around other people...”

Nelle DeShaun “Due to my reactions to the flu shot my doctor is like, nah not right now.”

Jeanette Henderson “I have not gotten it, I’m scared.”

Tim Tebow and Colin Kaepernick both kneeled in support of their beliefs. Only one of them is still paying the price.

Message from the Managing Editor being more liberal” when it comes to indoor The recent school board election in Fort Bend mask requirements as vaccinations continue ISD should be a wake-up call for how Blacks are to rise. Fauci did note that as America is getting left behind in political races. School board averaging 43,000 new covid cases daily, those president, Addie Heyliger, lost the seat she’s held for numbers would need to get “much, much six years in what some critics are saying is a stralower” before we can completely get to a new tegic divide-and-conquer move. Kristin Malone, normal. But just look at how masks helped who is white, garnered 36.78% of the vote. Heyfuel a dang-near non-existent flu season. The liger, who is Black, received the second-highest vote new normal needs to include masks. with 27.26%. During the early stages of the race, another white candidate reportedly stepped aside A tale of two quarterbacks as to not dilute the white votes. That’s something Looking for the latest example of white ReShonda Tate our community seldom does. In this race, Heyliger privilege, look no further than the NFL. Tim divided Black votes with Stephanie Brown, Allison Drew and Tebow, who hasn’t played pro football in nearly a decade and Edtrina Moss, each who had less than 15% of the vote. The loss was widely regarded as a failure during his time in the league has leaves the FBISD, which has more Black students than any other renewed outrage sparked over the apparent refusal to give Colin race, with only 2 Blacks on the 7-member board. Five of those Kaepernick a second chance on the gridiron. Tebow, who hasn’t new board members have less than 6 months experience picking competed in an NFL regular-season game since the 2012 season a new superintendent while learning their role as a governing — four years longer than when Kaepernick last played — was body. Other school districts across Texas changed the makeup of reportedly going to sign a one-year contract with his hometown their boards....and immediately began trying to get rid of critical Jacksonville Jaguars to play tight end, a position he has never race and diversity teachings in our schools. Don’t be surprised if played before on any level of competition. That’s a stark contrast we see that happening here. The Black community has to start to the deafening silence surrounding Kaepernick and his return coming together. We have to have the hard conversations to posi- to the league, which is likely to never happen for political, and tion people to run at different times so we can ensure a seat at the not athletic, reasons. table. For those who don’t win, let’s figure another way to support.

Check the egos and look at the bigger picture. Other communities In this week’s paper are playing chess....we’re still playing checkers. And if we don’t • On Social looks at all the hottest stories on social media. change the game, our community will continue to lose in the end.

• Our spotlight this week focuses on Anthony Collier, a millennial who is making his mark.

Can we normalize mask wearing?

• Sports reporter Jodie B. Jiles profiles Texas track teams who Since the pandemic, I’ve been all about masks. I’m fully vacwere stunning at state. cinated and I’m still all about the masks. Thankfully, guidance from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) On the web on indoor mask wearing may soon loosen up as more people • Gas stations report shortages as pipeline shutdown drags on. are vaccinated. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical • The upcoming Black Superman movie will have Black director. adviser to President Joe Biden, said that “we do need to start • Andrew Brown Jr.’s family view extended bodycam footage.

Divide and conquer

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DN News Necole Irvin is the new director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA).

She joined the City six years ago as MOCA’s first Cultural Tourism officer.

Former KHOU reporter Rucks Russell has died from COVID. Rusell also worked as Communications Director for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and the Houston City Council.

Houston avoids budget shortfall Houston Public Media

The city of Houston will avoid a massive budget shortfall caused by COVID19 thanks to more than $600 million in funds from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced.

The $5.1 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2022 is a $227.96 million increase over last year’s spending.

“But for the dollars being made available by President Joe Biden and those in (Washington) D.C., there would have been major budgetary cuts,” Turner said. “Having said that, this is not just one and done.

We’ll continue to have to be mindful for next year, and the year after next, because we will still be impacted by the coronavirus and there will still be impacts on our sales tax.”

Over the coming weeks, the city will hold a series of public workshops to assess the fiscal priorities of each city department. City council is expected to vote on a final version of the budget on June 2.

It’s the first time in years that the NEWSBRIEFS HARRIS CO. COMMISSIONERS SUPPORT PARDONING GEORGE FLOYD FOR 2004 DRUG ARREST Harris County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution in support of the pardon of George Floyd for a 2004 drug arrest by a former Houston police officer now facing murder charges in a separate case. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles still must decide whether to recommend a pardon, and Gov. Greg Abbott will have the final say. The May 2020 killing of Floyd, who was Black, by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, prompted worldwide protests against racial injustice. Chauvin was convicted last month of murder and manslaughter for Floyd’s killing and also faces federal civil rights charges.

SAN ANTONIO TEACHERS COULD GET $100K SALARIES Nearly 200 San Antonio Independent School District teachers are all but guaranteed stipends worth at least $15,000 next year thanks, in part, to a new Texas education initiative. SAISD

Mayor Sylvester Turner unveils his proposed budget for the next fiscal year on May 11, 2021. City of Houston/Screengrab

Houston mayor doesn’t have a budget shortfall to fix. The city lost an estimated $178 million in revenue during the pandemic — a lot of that coming from says it’s submitted 193 teachers for the pay increases. About 30 of those educators will qualify for stipends worth between $28,500 and $36,500.

The average qualifying SAISD teacher already makes nearly $60,000 each year. The district’s best teachers in its poorest schools could earn more than $100,000 if they continue other responsibilities like coaching and extracurricular instruction. Lawmakers overhauled the Texas education funding mechanism and paid for the program during the 2019 legislative session. Under the new initiative, Texas will essentially pay its school districts to re-think how teacher success is assessed and compensated. SAISD is one of 10 school districts that met the state’s criteria and qualifies for the first pot of money. Houston ISD also announced that as an appreciation for their teachers’ dedication and commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic, trustees are considering a one-time stipend of $750 for eligible district employees. If approved by the Board of Education during Thursday’s meeting, the payment will appear in employees’ paychecks on May 26.

decreased sales tax revenue — which will be covered by the $607 million in federal funds.

Turner said the budget proposal doesn’t necessitate any layoffs, which he attributed to the ARPA funding.

The city previously received $404 million in federal CARES Act funding, which had to be spent by the end of 2020. This time, the city will have a longer timeframe to spend ARPA funding, with a deadline at the end of 2024.

The city and the firefighters union have been locked in a legal dispute over salary increase negotiations since the contract expired in 2017. The mayor said he’ll make an announcement next week with a pay increase proposal, “that the city can afford.” The salary increase would be effective beginning July 1, he said.

In addition to revenue losses from the pandemic, Turner also pointed to financial strain from the city’s voter-mandated revenue cap. The cap is projected to cost the city $265 million this coming year, Turner said, and a cumulative $1.18 billion since 2015.

Houston City Council will vote on an item that would give the mayor authority to spend the ARPA money, but some groups have urged council members to oppose the measure, seeking instead for the City Council to have a larger role in the process.

The Texas Organizing Project, the Texas Gulf Coast AFL-CIO, the Workers Defense Action Fund and the HOME Coalition signed on to a letter asking council members to amend the item and gather more input from outside stakeholders.

“We are greatly concerned that precluding the need to further involve City Council short circuits the deliberative, consultative process Houstonians deserve,” the letter reads. “Without such a process in place, it is unlikely the funds will have the transformational impact they could.”

DN

Mayor Sylvester Turner has been named New President of African American Mayors Association.

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

SPRING 2021 COMMENCEMENT

Texas Southern University hosted their Spring 2021 Commencement on Saturday, May 8th, at Alexander Durley Stadium. Commencement speaker and civil rights attorney Ben Crump addressed the 1,073 students who participated both in-person and virtually. During the event, attorney Crump announced the Benjamin Crump Social Justice Endowed Scholarship at Texas Southern University with an initial gift of $20,000. TSU

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DN News

Protestors fight for the release of Black mothers. nationalbailout.org

National Bail Out Collective frees Black moms, caregivers Defender News Service

House Majority Whip James Clyburn, of S.C., speaks during a news conference. AP/Jacquelyn Martin

Rep. Clyburn under fire Stance on qualified immunity for cops drawing criticism Defender News Service

House Majority Whip James Clyburn has drawn the ire of several in the Black community after saying Democrats should not delay new policing reform legislation even if a provision on ending civil lawsuit protections currently afforded to police officers is not included, arguing that the party can push to end qualified immunity at another time.

“I would never sacrifice good on the altar of perfect. I just won’t do that. I know what the perfect will would be. We have proposed that.

I’m willing to see good legislation and I know that sometimes you have to compromise,” the South Carolina Democrat said. “We got to root out the bad apples, and let’s go forward with a good, solid program. If you don’t get qualified immunity now, then we’ll come back and try to get it later, but I don’t want to see us throw out a good bill because we can’t get a perfect bill.”

The push from a top Democrat in Congress to move the bill forward marks a departure from progressives in his party who have said they will not advance the legislation if it

includes compromises on qualified immunity. The measure, which protects police officers from civil lawsuits, has been a sticking point in bipartisan talks, though progress has been made.

South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott, who is leading talks for Republicans in the Senate, has proposed shifting the responsibility to police departments as opposed to individual officers while Democrats have said both the officers and departments should be held accountable.

Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri, said she refuses to vote for policing reform legislation that compromises on ending civil lawsuit protection against police officers.

And California Rep. Karen Bass, a Democrat, who authored the House bill and is another key player in the discussions with Scott and the Senate, has said officers and departments should both be held accountable.

Reaching bipartisan agreement on federal policing reform is just one obstacle facing congressional Democrats.

As Republican-led state legislatures enact measures to restrict voter

access, Congressional Democrats are trying to push through a sweeping election and voting rights package. It faces challenges in a narrowly divided Senate, where it’s not clear there would be enough Republican support to overcome a filibuster. And West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has expressed support for expanding voting access but is one of several moderate Democrats reluctant to gut Senate filibuster rules, which require 60 votes to advance legislation.

Asked if Democrats are considering shifting their approach to pass a more narrowly focused bill, Clyburn said the “national government must play a role in making sure that the elections are unfettered,” adding that it’s going to be tough.

“Joe Manchin who has some issues, we’ve met, and I understand we’re meeting again this week,” the Democrat said. “I hold out hope that nobody is going to allow the filibuster to take away voting rights or any other constitutional right. The vote filibuster is all about extending debate.

It’s not about denying civil and basic constitutional rights, and I don’t think that’s going to come to pass.”

Before Mother’s Day each year, incarcerated Black women are released from jail to the open arms of Gina Clayton-Johnson and the rest of the advocates of the Essie Justice Group.

“It’s one of the most moving experiences that I’ve ever been a part of,” said Clayton-Johnson, the executive director of Essie Justice Group. “Black incarcerated women, in particular, are among the most kind of unseen, untended to and uncared for group in our society, and there’s something really important about saying ‘we see you’ and ‘you are part of us,’ and ‘we love you.’”

Her activist group is part of the National Bail Out Collective, with organizations from across the country that raise money to bail out Black mothers and caretakers before the holiday if they can’t afford to pay for bail themselves. The women are reunited with their families and showered with care packages.

“We just broke another record!!” the organization tweeted on May 8. “Thanks to your support, we surpassed our goal of $750K!!”

“Society’s instinct — even in the midst of global crisis — is to continue criminalizing and punishing folks, especially Black people, under the guise of public health,” they noted. “We do this because we believe that no mama should be caged. We do these bail outs in the tradition of our ancestors who bought their families’ freedom. We #FreeBlackMamas because we want an end to money bail and pretrial detention,” another tweet read.

VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 28 - MAY 13, 2021 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Photographers Ray Carrington III 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

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DN News New bill won’t allow critical race theory lessons in Texas schools The Texas Tribune

The Texas House has given preliminary approval to legislation that takes aim at critical race theory and would limit what public school students can be taught about the United States’ history of subjugating people of color.

By a vote of 81-52, the House passed House Bill 3979 by Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, after about four hours of debate. The support in the chamber came over opposition from dozens of education, business and community groups. The lower chamber will have to vote again before it can send the legislation to the Senate, which has already approved a similar proposal. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been vocal about his support of the legislation.

HB 3979 is part of a national effort by redstate legislatures to ban or limit the teaching of critical race theory, an academic discipline that examines how racism has shaped legal and social systems within the United States and views race as a social construct.

Toth’s legislation says a teacher cannot “require or make part of a course” a series of race-related concepts, including the ideas that “one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex,” or that someone is “inherently racist, sexist or oppressive” based on their race or sex.

“House Bill 3979 is about teaching racial harmony by telling the truth that we are all equal, both in God’s eyes and our founding documents,” Toth said as he introduced the legislation on the House floor.

Repeatedly invoking critical race theory, Toth later asked, “Do you want our Texas kids to be taught that the system of government in the United States and Tex-

High school students walk to their next class after the bell rings at Elsik Ninth Grade Center in Houston. Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune

as is nothing but a cover-up for white supremacy? Do you want them to be taught a souped-up version of Marxism?”

Democrats blasted the bill — as well as Toth — as uninformed. He got perhaps the strongest pushback from Rep. Mary González of Clint, who said she studied critical race theory as part of the doctoral degree she earned two years ago.

“We are making very real decisions about access to educational resources without even having a full understanding of what we’re talking about,” Gonzalez said, “and I can speak to this because I literally spent 10 years getting a Ph.D. in this in which I have seen the opposite of what

you’re talking about happen, that compassion and love stem from this theory, stem from this research and stem from the academic writings” related to it.

Democrats also took issue with — and unsuccessfully sought to remove — parts of the bill that would limit discussion of current events in the classroom, prohibit private funding for social studies courses, and prevent teachers from requiring for credit any work with an organization involved in legislative lobbying or political activism. When it comes to current events, the bill says a social studies teacher cannot be forced to “discuss a particular current event or widely debated and

currently controversial issue” — and if they choose to, they should try their best to offer “diverse and contending perspectives without giving deference to any one perspective.”

Rep. Jarvis Johnson, D-Houston, decried HB 3979 as “tyranny” shortly before the vote.

“We have come to this body and have made the decision to tell our teachers how and what to teach,” said Johnson, who is Black, adding that there is “not one agency that has compelled a teacher to teach critical race theory, so this author literally is legislating nothing — an overreach of power.”

This story has been edited for length.

Special enrollment: One million people sign up Defender News Service

More than one million Americans have signed up for health insurance under “Obamacare” during a special enrollment period for those needing coverage during the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden reopened the HealthCare.gov insurance markets in February for a special six-month sign-up opportunity that will go through Aug. 15. His coronavirus relief package also boosted taxpayer subsidies, making the coverage a much better deal for new and current customers.

“Health care is a right, not a privilege — and ensuring that every single American has access to the quality, affordable health care

they need is a national imperative,” he said in a statement.

Biden has promised to build on President Barack Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act to push the U.S. toward coverage for all. He said the law known as “Obamacare” has been “a lifeline for millions of Americans” since it became law more than a decade ago.

Biden said the U.S. had made “enormous progress” in expanding access to health insurance through this special enrollment period.

However, the one million figure also includes people who would have otherwise qualified for a sign-up opportunity, even without Biden’s special enrollment period.

The number of uninsured Americans has

risen because of job losses due to the economic hit of the coronavirus, but last year President Donald Trump’s administration resisted calls to authorize a special enrollment period for people uninsured in the pandemic.

Failure to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act as Trump, a Republican, repeatedly vowed to do, was one of the former president’s most bitter disappointments. His administration continued trying to find ways to limit the program or unravel it.

A Supreme Court decision on Trump’s final legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act is expected this year.

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DN Feature

White House commits to working with Black press on COVID-19 response

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA

Misinformation and disinformation are the primary drivers for vaccine hesitancy in African American and Latino neighborhoods.

Still, individuals should cautiously seek trusted voices in their respective communities who only present life-saving facts.

That is the message from two of the nation’s leading physicians, who are members of the White House COVID-19 Response Team.

In an interview with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith and Dr. Cameron Webb extolled the importance of everyone getting fully vaccinated, saying that the Biden-Harris administration is not only meeting – but exceeding – expectations of making vaccines available to all communities.

“We see misinformation all of the time and folks ask questions that are rooted in disinformation,” declared Dr. Webb, the senior policy advisor for COVID-19 equity and a physician and professor at the UniFKeidy Ventura, 17, receives her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Seth Wenig versity of Virginia.

“As it gets spread from person to person, from family to family, and friend to Johnson. He said each has proven safe. that it strengthened my confidence in how friend, it’s so important for the Black Press “They work a little different, but each the surveillance works,” she said. to tell the story of what is happening on teaches your body how to recognize the As for the number of minorities receivthe ground. Grandmothers can spend time threat of COVID-19,” Dr. Webb noted. ing the vaccine, the task force members As it gets spread with their grandchildren again. These vac“[The vaccines] are not giving you the said the numbers are grossly misreported. from person to cines are a key path to get back virus. It’s teaching your body “We do have an idea how many Black to normal life. Science bears how to recognize the bad people have received the vaccine,” Dr. person, from family out that these vaccines are safe. guy – the virus. We have Webb responded. to family, and The real risk is COVID-19, the great data, and before they “The reporting shows that a little less friend to friend, virus, not the vaccine.” ever made it to market, over than nine percent where we know their it’s so important President Biden recently an75,000 people went through ethnicity are Black, 12% are Hispanic. for the Black Press nounced a goal of vaccinating clinical trials and over 10% However, there is a lot of missing data. at least 70% of the adult U.S. were Black, and in one trial, For about 40% of the shots in the arms, we to tell the story of population by July 4. over 20% were Latino. We don’t know the ethnicity or race because it what is happening With more than 105 million have 105 million people vac- hasn’t always been required data. We have on the ground. fully vaccinated to date, the cinated, and the data we have been working closely with states on that.”

Grandmothers can Dr. Marcellagoal is viewed by many as well tells us that it is safe.”

Dr. Webb concluded, “We also can look Nunez-Smith spend time with within reach.

Part of the vaccine hesitan- by zip codes and the concentration of com“Ultimately, we’re trying cy lies in the belief that vac- munities of color. We know we still have their grandchildren to get everyone vaccinated cinations had become politi- work to do and ground to make up, but again. These who are medically able to,” cized, and many did not have in terms of precise numbers, we still have vaccines are a key stated Dr. Nunez-Smith, the confidence in the review pro- missing data.” path to get back to director of the White House’s cess, Nunez-Smith remarked.

NNPA’s chairwoman of the board, Karen normal life. Science COVID-19 Equity Task Force “Those processes are trans- Carter Richards, stated that she’s looking and associate professor of inparent, and we should have forward to working with the White House bears out that ternal medicine, public health high confidence,” she de- to continue providing accurate informathese vaccines are and management at Yale Unimanded. “There is diverse tion about the vaccines to communities of safe. The real risk is versity. representation in the trials color.

COVID-19, the virus, “What I stress is that this and the scientists who were a “The Black Press is the trusted voice of Dr. Cameron Webb not the vaccine.” has to be a community-level part of the review process.” the Black community,” the chair declared. goal, too,” she said. “It’s about Dr. Nunez-Smith also re- “In fact, in many communities we are the getting everyone in our social network, our ferred to the “rigorous” systems behind the mainstream press, and we will give our Dr. Cameron Webb community, vaccinated.” surveillance of the vaccines. readers, our subscribers, what they’ve Dr. Webb pointed to each of the three “When we talk about the Johnson & come to expect from the Black Press: honvaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccine, one of the takeaways is est and valuable information.”

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GET YOUR FREE COVID-19 VACCINE Walk in or schedule online for your free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Houston Methodist Houston Methodist experts stand behind the COVID-19 vaccine and we have safely administered more than a half-million doses. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine means that we are getting closer to returning our lives to normal — back to school, back to work and back to spending time doing the things we love with the people we care about.

Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital

We’re making it easier than ever to get your COVID-19 vaccine: Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

NOW ACCEPTING WALK-INS

Visit any of our 7 vaccination locations Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Houston Methodist West Hospital

PREFER AN APPOINTMENT?

Visit houstonmethodist.org/vaccine to schedule an appointment online.

Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Houston Methodist Josie Roberts Administration Building

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

COVID-19 vaccinations are provided free of charge to individuals 16 years of age and older.

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital

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DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB OnSocial What is 50 Cent doing in Houston?

Rapper 50 Cent broke the news that he moved to Houston, and since then Houstonians have been having a lot of fun showing 50 around H-Town— with the help of Photoshop. The original photo 50 Cent posted to his Instagram, announcing his move, showed him in front of the Astrodome. Since then the “In da Club” rapper has been copied and pasted in hundreds of photos, placing him in front of Houston’s most known locations including Minute Maid Park and Houston’s iconic ‘Be Someone’ bridge.

The producer has also been spotted at some local eateries and grocery stores that we all know and love. He’s also making power moves, winning the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Reserve Grand Champion.

Serena’s skin draws feedback

Serena Williams is making major headlines this week, but it has little to do with her tennis career. The tennis legend recently dropped two pictures of herself glammed up, but nobody could take their eyes off the new look of her face.Some accused Serena of bleaching her skin or doing Whiteface. Check out the responses:

Catch this Real Housewives tea The tea was piping hot and social media set aflame when Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams posted a pic of her and her new fiance’. The problem is, just a few months ago he was married to fellow RHOA “friend” Falynn. Is it a publicity stunt, or a Girl Code gone astray? Either way, this was the top trending story of the week.

“Porsha is the reason your grandmother told you to keep your girlfriends away from your man.

Falynn was her friend.”

Carla Daniels

“I don’t care if Beyoncé walks in butt naked, my grown a** husband is responsible for his next move. It’s crazy how we always blame the woman and not the man.”

Linda Lewis

“I have no problem with Porsha, this IS reality t.v. Falynn is a bit looney just like Letoya! Full of DRAMA! Was Falynn and that man even married? I mean really?!”

Tonna Mickens-Alaman Brooks

“Porsha and Falynn were coworkers. This ‘I can’t date the ex of someone I barely know’ is why so many women are single.”

Kim Humphrey

This is the same porsha warning cast members to watch their men around Kenya.. cause she will flirt with your husband...

Rasha Kamil

“Y’all this is FAKE! Everybody on my timeline is weighing in on this and it’s all a stunt to get us tuned in to Porsha’s spinoff show.”

Monica Andreti

“Serena was on IG looking like Sammy Sosa, the prequel; that make-up artist should be ashamed.”

Darnell Davis

“I don’t know if its filters, digital editing, hair color or what. But it’s not good” Ericka Alvarez

“This is pretty much the only way she wears her makeup since she’s been with white dude. It looks ridiculous.”

Charles Mitchell

“My problem is that she had to okay

this photo before it was released….”

Michelle Lewis

“Wrong shade of foundation (way too light) and she needs to lay off of the facial fillers for a minute. She has that Melania Trump look where her eyes barely open because the filler in her cheeks is too aggressive. A little goes a long way- and she needs to find a Black person to pick her wigs and do her makeup on a consistent basis. She is too dark for a white makeup artist.....”

Cicely Reid

“When they told me I won, I almost fainted.

I was really excited. I’m very proud of this.”

– 50 Cent

Black Twitter roasts woman who blasted Phylicia Rashad Don’t come for Auntie Phylicia unless she sends for you. Black Twitter united to school a self-proclaimed “Twitter historian” who trolled beloved The Cosby Show actress Phylicia Rashad. Lisa Talmadge tweeted: “Claire Huxtable was an enabler of the longest and most prolific drug rape predator in US history, Bill Cosby. Everyone on set knew he was a sadistic predator. Everyone. 75 women drugged and raped by Cosby and he got away with it because of enablers.”

“Neither Claire Huxtable or Phylicia Rashad are responsible for Bill Cosby’s actions. She was his co-worker and employee, not his supervisor or co-conspirator in his crimes.”

- Blaq Marquee “Claire Huxtable was a character on a sitcom. The real-life actress who played her….knew nothing about Cosby’s abuse of women.

Cosby was a Jekyll and Hyde personality with women.”

- Ebony Edwards-Ellis “Don’t you EVER come for our Aunties. We will bury you.”

- Lovey Blue

Congrats to Rashad, who was also recently named Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Howard University.

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DN Entertainment

Megan Thee Stallion hosts new series for pets Defender News Service

If you follow Megan Thee Stallion on Instagram, you know that she is a dog lover. She has several dogs who she is constantly doting on in her home.

And apparently, people have been watching. Her penchant for animals has landed her a Snapchat series through Will Smith’s production company, Westbrook Media.

According to Shadow and Act, the show will be called, “Off the Leash with Megan Thee Stallion.”

The show will feature Megan interviewing other celebrities who have special relationships with their pets as well.

This is one of many platform specific shows coming to the social media site as Tik Tok and Instagram might have stolen as bit of its thunder. Earlier this year, they released a show with hairstylist Tokyo Stylez called “Queen of Stylez.”

There’s also a show called “Coming Out,” which follows six young people tell-

Megan Thee Stallion posing with one of her dogs.

ing their friends and family that they are members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This show will be the third Megan can add to her resume.

She had a guest starring role on NBC’s “Good Girls” and is a permanent judge on HBO Max’s ballroom competition series, “Legendary.”

Radio legend, Ernie Jackson dies at 78 Defender News Service

Ernest (Ernie) Jackson Jr., one of the pioneers of the historic Black radio movement in America and anaward‐winning amateur photographer, died recently at age 78.

A native of Wichita Falls, TX, Ernie’s trailblazing journey in the broadcasting arena led him to the job as Vice‐President & General Manager at KMJQ & KBXX FM (Majic 102 and Ernie Jackson 90. 9 FM the Boxx).

After his initial retirement in 2001 from the radio industry, Ernie embarked upon another thirteen‐year career expanding his passion for community service.

In 2002, he founded “Project W.A.V.E.” a non‐ profit organization helping to educate and fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America In 2014. In 2015, he resigned from his position and dedicated the rest of his life to his family and his love for photography, traveling around the world capturing the beauty of nature with his Nikon camera.

He leaves to cherish his memory, the love of his life, his wife Willda Shaw Jackson; his devoted siblings; his five grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, special friends and colleagues.

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May 13, 2021 |

| 11

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Education TEXAS COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES GET $2 BIL IN FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY Defender News Service

Texas colleges and universities will get an additional $2 billion in the latest round of federal coronavirus stimulus funding — half of which must be used for financial grants to students struggling due to the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education announced.

The federal government also announced undocumented and international students can now receive those emergency funds too, rolling back a Trump administration rule that only allowed schools to distribute grants to students who qualified for federal financial aid, which excluded non-U.S. citizens.

“We hope that Texas colleges and universities will take full advantage of the policy to get this critical support to all students and maintain our long-standing commitment to the academic success and economic opportunity of undocumented students,” said Jonathan Feinstein, Texas State Director for The Education Trust.

The $36 billion released across the country as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act was allocated to schools based on a formula that included the number of low-income students

University of Houston students on campus.

enrolled. Four-year public universities in Texas will receive the largest share of funding. $100 MIL EACH

University of Houston, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. $430 MIL DIVIDED AMONG PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN TEXAS

Texas received around $1 billion in the first round of funding under the CARES Act, which

was primarily used to combat abrupt losses from meal and housing reimbursements and canceled events as the pandemic began.

A university spokesperson for the University of Houston said this new funding will continue to offset revenue losses and recoup costs of COVID-19 related measures. Joseph Pettibon, Texas A&M University vice president for enrollment and academic service, said the flagship university plans to use the money to invest in more technology in the classroom and enhancing broadband service on campus

as more students rely on personal devices to do their work.

“Something that the students have really appreciated is the ability to have access to recordings of lectures even in traditional setting of a class so they can go back and reference it,” he said. “So investing in those types of resources that will help students and their learning environment.”

The Department of Education is directing schools to prioritize giving money to struggling students. They can also use the money to retain and reengage students who have dropped out of college, either by providing mental health support, help with classes or to cancel student debt at their institution that was accrued during the pandemic. Schools can also use the funding to cover COVID-19-related costs, reimbursement for lost revenue and technology upgrades.

Colleges and universities must also use part of the award to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, either to fund testing centers or to spread vaccine awareness and set up vaccination sites. Schools can also use the money to provide paid time off to staff to allow them to get the vaccine.

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12 | May 13, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Events

UPCOMING VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON EVENTS

CLASSIFIED

By Aswad Walker

Brilliant Equity, LLC. seeks a Project Manager. Mail resume to 10190 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX.

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

2021 OMG Food Fest, May 15, 2pm – 10pm

Welcome to the World’s First Hip-Hop Food Festival, the OMG Food Fest.

Not only will this event offer delicious food coming from all directions, it promises to keep you entertained with the city’s best DJs and bands playing HipHop, Old School and more to keep you two-stepping with Tacos, bouncing with boudin, twerkin’ with turkey egs and boogying with BBQ. The event will take place at the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Rd. (Houston 77045) where over 60 vendors will be in attendance. For ticket info, visit wwwOMGfoodfest.com. Kids 8 and under are free.

Justice Rising: Faith Dismantling Injustice Virtual Forum, May 21 – 22

The Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Social Justice Ministry will host Justice Rising: Faith Dismantling Injustice, a two-day virtual forum featuring a Keynote Address given by U. S. Senator Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock; Panels with prominent politicians, community leaders and activists on the topics of “Policing in Houston” and “How to Stand Against Voter Suppression;” and Breakout Sessions focused on Criminal Justice Reform, Education Reform, Community Resource Development, Legislative Reform and Voter Engagement. Confirmed guest speakers include: U. S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas State Senator Borris Miles, NAACP Houston Chapter President Rev. Dr. James Dixon, Former Houston County Clerk Chris Hollins, Houston Police Dept. Assist Chief Chandra Hatcher, Constable Precinct 7 Captain Marcus Grant. Register today at www.wheelerbc.org/events.

Jazz Jam Featuring Joe Carmouche, May 21, 7:30pm – 9:30pm

Jazz guitarist Joe Carmouche is one of Houston’s most popular and in-demand performers. His Smooth Jazz skills have backed up nationally touring artists such as Joe Sample, Kenny Burrell, Kirk Whalum and Everette Harp. Grab your friends and head out for a great night! This free event will take place at Sugar Land Town Square, 2711 Plaza Drive (Sugar Land 77479)

The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 • Project 21-04-07 - RFP/ Select Clinic Services – with a deadline of 2:00 p.m. CST on June 8, 2021.

The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be held virtually on Monday May 17, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

CST. Email constance.wright@houstonisd.org by 2:00 p.m. CST on Friday May 14, 2021 to request a meeting link.

The solicitation for bids is available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org. To access, go to Directory, Purchasing Services, Solicitation of Bids. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 • Project 21-04-10 – RFP / Worn Cameras, Tasers and Law Enforcement Software– with a deadline of 10:00 a.m. on June 8, 2021. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be in virtual at the above stated address on May 18, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

The solicitation for bids is available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org. To access, go to Directory, Purchasing Services, Solicitation of Bids. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.

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:

COURIER SERVICES: MAIL, PHARMACEUTICAL AND MEDICAL RECORDS 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 Thursday, May 20, 2021. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Thursday, May 27, 2021.

Solicitation documents must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 11:00 A.M., Friday, June 11, 2021 in a sealed envelope marked;RFP FOR COURIER SERVICES: MAIL, PHARMACEUTICAL AND MEDICAL RECORDS” - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 AT 11:00 A.M. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to James Blunt, Buyer II or E-mail questions to james.blunt@theharriscenter.org cc: sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org., or via fax at (713) 970-7682. 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.

AFRICON and AFRO Ball, May 21 – 23, various times

Amplify Africa, a leading entertainment and media company in the U.S. whose mission is to amplify Africa and the African diaspora through global community, storytelling, and digital innovation, and The Africa Channel, a cable and streaming channel focusing on travel, lifestyle, and culture documentaries, series and movies, has announced AFRICON 2021, a conference to showcase the excellence, culture, talent and innovation the continent and its diaspora has to offer. Taking place May 21st – 23rd (Friday - Sunday), this virtual multi-day event will feature virtual performances, panels and Amplify Africa’s highly anticipated AFRO BALL, a fashion-conscious, philanthropic event that celebrates individuals who are amplifying Africa and the diaspora by excelling in their respective professional and creative fields. For more information on AFRICON and the AFROBALL virtual gala, visit www.amplifyafrica.org/africon.

BLOCK Builders, LLC is soliciting pricing for Temenos Apartments located at 1703 Gray Street, Houston, Texas. This project will be jointly funded by HUD and GLO and administered by Harris County and the City of Houston. Bidders shall comply with regulations governing the City of Houston and Harris County, including MWSBE, Section 3, Apprenticeships, Pay or Play and Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. We are seeking bids from qualified subcontractors for the demolition of 2 existing single-story buildings and the construction of 1, 6-story building (5 over 1 on a podium), 95 residential units (approx. 50,000 GSF) shared common areas, and parking.

City of Houston Certified MWSBE and Section 3 Business concerns are encouraged to submit proposals.

A pre-bid meeting is scheduled via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 1PM. The meeting link is https://bit.ly/3gOaeTj or call +1 225-778-8182 ID: 503 873 684#. All bidders are encouraged to attend.

Plans and specifications, instructions to bidders and other bid documents are available at no cost for download via www.ISqFt.com. Search for Temenos or contact Block at temenosestimating@blockcompanies.com for a direct link.

Please submit bids and related supplemental documentation, including verifiable references, and qualifications, no later than June 8, 2021 at 11:00 AM to Block, via e-mail at temenosestimating@blockcompanies.com or at the office located at 4545 Post Oak Place Drive, Suite 150, Houston TX 77027. For questions, please contact Sandra Pegram, at 832-538-1220.

May 13, 2021 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Spotlight Anthony Collier is

CHANGING THE GAME

By Aswad Walker

Imagine winning an international business competition, working for multiple state and national lawmakers, traveling the globe and holding leadership positions in some of the most prestigious organizations and non-profits in the country, all while being a full-time college student. All before the age of 25.

That’s how Anthony Collier is living. A proud Texas Southern University (TSU) alum, Collier has studied at Cairo University (Egypt, North Africa), visited seven foreign countries as part of the TSU Debate Team, served as TSU’s Student Government Association president, and worked for U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, State Senator Borris Miles and State Rep. Ron Reynolds. He’s currently attending the University of Texas’ law school, serving as SGA president and president of the largest student-run national non-profit, the National Black Law Students Association, representing every Black law school student in the nation.

This Houston-born, central Texas-raised game-changer is already taking the world by storm, serving as one of the leading voices in the call to get UT to stop singing “The Eyes of Texas,” a song with deeply racist roots. And the Defender discovered that Collier’s story is only just beginning.

DEFENDER: What made you choose TSU as your college?

ANTHONY COLLIER: So, I read The

Miseducation of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and it really made me want to go to an HBCU, and Texas Southern University is the only HBCU in Houston.

So, that’s where I initially put TSU on my radar. Also, when I went to Admitted Students Day, they took us to the Debate Team office and I met Dr. Thomas Freeman, and I was immediately captivated by him. He just had this magnetism about him. I was like, “This is a man I need to learn from; a man I need to study. This is somebody I want to spend some real time with. So, after meeting Dr. Freeman, I was sold and I joined the debate team, got a scholarship, and it’s been on ever since.

DEFENDER: What are your responsibilities as chair of the National Black Law Students Association?

COLLIER: It’s not a traditional student

...I feel like the hand of God was really on me. And there were brothers in the church who stepped up and helped me get on the right path.”

Anthony Collier

organization, because we’re a 501-c-3. So, I’m chairing an international nonprofit.

Some of the things I’m working on right now is establishing the NBLSA Pre-Law Fellows. I’ve already got 20 scholarships secured that are fully funded, that are going to help these Black college kids, first-generation college students, get into law school. Some of the other things I’m working on of course is a Pre-Law Symposium, academic and chapter leadership retreat, job fair to help students get jobs. And then we’re going to have our national.

just captivating to me. So, I went up and introduced myself to him after the panel, and based off of our conversation, he told me, “You should consider going to law school.” He was the first person who told me that. He said, “We have this pre-law

DEFENDER: To what do you attribute your success?

DEFENDER: Was it always your dream goal to become a lawyer?

COLLIER: Actually, no. Growing up, I didn’t know any lawyers. I’m a first-generation college student. But during my freshman year, at a UH panel discussion, Dr. Elwyn Lee was speaking. And what he was saying on the panel, it was

pipeline program at the University of Houston. I want you to apply for it.” So, I applied for the program, I got in and I was so successful in the program I got the highest score. And that’s when I started to realize that law school was something I could see myself doing.

Kierra Richardson, Anthony Collier and Brenna Spain at a February 2018 100 Black Men of Metro Houston event. Aswad Walker

COLLIER: It’s really, God, honestly.

I really think that there’s a lot of young brothers who are just as smart, just as talented, just as ambitious, but for whatever reason, they slipped between the cracks.

And it easily could have been me. Like when I was in high school, I went to alternative school twice. I was always in the principal’s office. I got 31 discipline referrals my first year. But I feel like the hand of God was really on me. And there were brothers in the church who stepped up and helped me get on the right path.

GO TO DEFENDERNETWORK.COM TO READ MORE/CHECK OUT COLLIER VIDEOS ON UT PROTESTS, TSU & MORE.

14 | May 13, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Texas Southern’s Naomi Reyes has been named SWAC Pitcher of the Year after posting a leagueleading 1.52 ERA while posting three shutouts and a perfect game in 11 complete games this season.

Prairie View’s Nathan Crawford-Wallis won the triple jump and finished fourth in the long jump during the SWAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Sports Briefs

HAVE THE TEXANS MOVED ON FROM DESHAUN WATSON? Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson walks off the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Jan. 3, 2021, in Houston. AP

By Terrance Harris

It’s been a couple of weeks since the Texans went completely off the map and selected Stanford quarterback Davis Mills in the third-round – their actual first pick -- of the NFL Draft.

Almost immediately, there were questions about what the selection of Mills means for the future of disgruntled and troubled franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson. Those questions have only grown louder in the silence from the Texans when it comes to Watson’s status with the team.

Their actions, however, seem to have spoken volumes.

Since Watson first demanded a trade because of issues with owner Cal McNair to the serious legal trouble the quarterback faces after 22 massage therapists have filed lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, the Texans quarterback room has changed dramatically.

The team has added veteran starter Tyrod Taylor, reliable backup Ryan Finley and now Mills via a valuable commodity also known as a third-round pick. And passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton is now leading the room. It would seem the Texans have put a plan in place to move on from Watson.

New general manager Nick Caserio has done his best to make us believe Mills was simply the best player available regardless of position at the No. 67 overall pick. That might be more believable had the Texans picked a pass rush specialist or wide receiver with the first pick of this new regime.

“It’s just part of the team-building process,” said Caserio, who is a disciple of Bill Belichick.

“I wouldn’t say there was any one specific factor or any one particular thing that goes into it.

What we tried to do is evaluate the players and put the players in a position and on the board and then go through our process.”

The Texans are smart to have made the moves that have been made in the quarterback room. There is a chance that even if the Texans wanted to hold Watson to the four-year, $156 million contract extension he signed last fall, that with the serious nature of the criminal and civil allegations being waged he won’t be available to play for any team this upcoming season.

But the Texans have pretended in public that the drafting of Mills is no different than adding a new wide receiver to the team and that there are no specific plans for how to bring Mills along and when he may be unleashed.

“No different than any other player,” Caserio said when asked by The Defender

this week what plan is in place to bring Mills along this season. “Bring him in, teach him our system, teach him our terminology, take it one step at a time.”

When you look at the history of thirdround picks, those players are brought in to eventually become impact players sooner rather than later. Taylor will hold down the No.1 quarterback spot to start the season and perhaps as long as it takes to get the pro-style Mills ready to assume the top spot.

In the meantime, the question is what will happen with Watson. Indications are, the Texans have some trade possibilities though not nearly as vast and lucrative as before the sexual misconduct allegations popped up. If Watson is found liable or guilty of any of the allegations, he is almost certainly facing a suspension by the NFL and the Texans could have the right to void his contract on code of conduct violations if all trade possibilities disappear.

For now, the Texans are getting ready to see their third-round investment up close and personal for the first time this weekend when they host rookie camp.

“I think we are eager to see everybody,” Caserio said. “You have to be careful about going out there and watching one throw and making a judgment off of a guy making a great throw.”

TIGERS CLINCH NO.1 SEED Texas Southern, which has won its 11th consecutive SWAC West softball title, Raven Rodriguez has been selected as a No.1 seed in the upcoming SWAC Softball Tournament from May 11-14 at the Gulfport Sportsplex in Mississippi. Prairie View is the No.2 seed in West. The Tigers defeated Southern in dominant fashion over the weekend, 9-0 and 10-0, to clinch the West. TSU coach Raven Rodriguez was also named SWAC Co-Coach of the Year.

ROCKETS ADD CAMERON OLIVER The Rockets have signed journeyman post player Cameron Oliver to a 10-day Cameron Oliver contract via a hardship exception. Oliver, who has played in the Australian National Basketball League this season and a former college standout at Nevada, will likely remain on the roster until the end of the Rockets’ season.

TEXANS SIGN LINEBACKER The Texans continue to overhaul their roster from a season ago.

Neville Hewitt The team announced that it has signed veteran free agent linebacker Neville Hewitt to a contract.

Read more at DefenderNetwork.com

May 13, 2021 |

| 15

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports H-TOWN SETS MARK AT STATE TRACK IN AUSTIN

By Jodie B. Jiles

Even though we didn’t sweep the DFW/Dallas area this season at the UIL state track meet, Houston shined on them in Austin with a few notable performances in both Class 5A and 6A. In the boys’ group of Class 5A, Fort Bend Marshall’s 4x200m relay team (JaCorey McAdams, Jaquez White, Jonathon White, Chris Brinkley) won a gold medal, clocking a 1:25.23 time.

Crosby’s 4x100m relay team (Kam Kirkwood, Reggie Branch, Jonathan Fuselier, Emonte Wilson) also took home a gold medal with a 40.66 time. Brenham’s Keanu Jones won the gold in the 100m dash, clocking a 10.23, and Rosenberg Terry sprinter Kellen Stewart won the 200m dash with a 20.78. Manvel’s Adam Mason won the 400m dash in 47.43, while the Mavericks Jalen Walthall was the Triple Jump gold medal winner with 50-4.

In the ladies’ group of Class 5A, Fort Bend Marshall’s 46 points tied Lancaster for first place in team standings. Marshall’s Tairah Johnson took home the gold in the 100m hurdles with a sub-14 second (13.77) finish. Then Johnson contributed to Marshall’s 4x100m relay (Shanice Walker, Cesley Williams, Janai Williams, Tairah

Katy Seven Lakes 4x100m relay (Sydney Kim, Ibiso David-West, Alyssa Tate, Haley Tate) took home gold with a 44.89 finish. Jimmie Agisson

Johnson) gold medal victory with a 46.34 time.

Fort Bend Marshall sprinter Cesley Willams won gold in the 400m (54.07). Fort Bend Hightower’s Jaiden Iston received a

bronze medal in 400m dash.

Manvel’s 4x400 relay (Rayah Wynn, Kayla Smith, Ja’Dasia Sims, Jasir Miller) finished with gold while Ft. Bend Hightower

received a silver medal.

For the girls of Class 6A, I am not going to deny, I was disappointed to see Summer Creek’s “Golden Girl” Dynasty McClennon in the stands and not on the track. But the show must go on and Katy’s Seven Lakes relay teams stepped up for the city. Seven Lakes 4x100m relay (Sydney Kim, Ibiso David-West, Alyssa Tate, Haley Tate) took home gold with a 44.89 finish, and Seven Lakes 4x400m relay (Avery Catchings, Alyssa Tate, Ibiso David-West, Haley Tate) won gold with a 3:44.23 time.

Katy Cinco Ranch’s Amelia Flynt won a gold medal in the Discus (46-5), and Humble Summer Creek’s Morgan Taylor won gold in the 300m hurdles (42.28).

In the Class 6A boys meet, Summer Creek finished on top of the overall points standing with 54 points. Summer Creek’s Jalen Rivers cleared a 6-foot-9 high jump to win the Class 6A high jump state title. Humble Atascocita’s Jaden Preston won gold in the Triple Jump.

Katy Taylor’s Bryce Foster won the Shotput with a 71 ft. and 1 in. throw. Richmond George Ranch’s Bryce McCray won gold in the 300 Hurdles (36:27.20).

MORE THAN A RACE ALIEF TAYLOR’S RELAY TEAM DIGS DEEP

By Jodie B. Jiles

Despite Alief Taylor’s 4x100m boys relay team finishing in third place in the UIL Class 6A state track meet final, their “Quartet” of senior Keshaun Cooper Owens, Demontrae Callis, Anthanase Mwamba and junior Tyler King were nothing short of spectacular on their journey.

Inspired by the memory of former Alief Taylor track star Khambrail Winters, who was fatally shot earlier in November, the “Quartet” blazed passed all competition with gold medals finishes throughout their post-season.

And in the state final, Alief Taylor stayed with the front of the pack that included the nation’s best, but unfortunately just fell short of the pinnacle with a photo finish wherein they finished third.

Demontray Callis also earned the bronze medal in the 100m dash and Tyler King earned the bronze medal in the 200m dash.

The Defender spoke with the “Quartet” before they headed out to the state track meet to discuss what makes them special, their keys to success and more.

Alief Taylor “Quartet” (L-R) Keshaun Cooper Owens, Tyler King, Demontrae Callis and Anthanase Mwamba.

Jimmie Agisson

DESCRIBE “THE QUARTET”

KEYS TO SUCCESS

POST-SEASON INSPIRATION

MOVING FORWARD

Mwamba: “We all have different personalities. We hate losing because we are competitive and always have a will to win.”

King: “Hard work and dedication every day. We listen to the coach every day and just work.”

Cooper Owens: “Really, we dedicate this track season to our long, lost brother Khambrail Winters, who ran for our school.

Long live him.”

King: “We got to keep putting in the work and keep grinding.”

16 | May 13, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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