Houston Defender: May 28, 2020

Mayor Sylvester Turner

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM

With the re-opening of public spaces, social distancing and mask are being ignored, putting people at risk of contracting COVID-19.

SPORTS

KERON WILLIAMS The former NFL lineman expands his entrepreneurial journey into the tech world.

Volume 89, issue 31 May 28, 2020

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NEWS

ASHTON WOODS Six people have been killed

by HPD since April 21 and he wants answers.

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FREE

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DN On the web

FIT & FINE Scotty Lindsey Age: 39 Occupation: Fitness trainer, author Education: Stephen F. Austin State University Major: Special Education/Kinesiology Motto: “Knowledge alone is not power. Knowledge is only power if it’s being put to use!”

LEARN… How a family history of high blood pressure helped Scotty charter his career.

Credit: Reuters

Message from the Editor Sick and tired of being sick and tired

IG: @hardbodyscotty Facebook: @ScottyLindsey Read more on Friday about Scotty at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine email: fitnfine@defendernetwork.com

Biden’s gaffe

Like many, when I first saw the images of a Former Vice-President Joe Biden has put his foot in police officer kneeling on the neck of Houshis mouth again with his “You ain’t Black” comment ton native George Floyd in Minneapolis, I (though I know many people who would say “where’s felt sick to my stomach. I thought: here we the lie?”). But Biden apologized for the comment, go again...I didn’t even want to press play. saying he was being “too cavalier” in his interview But I did. I watched in horror as Floyd took with radio host Charlamange tha God. Regardless of his last breath. And when he called out for how you feel about what he said, he did something ReShonda Tate his mama....whew. (His mother died a couthe current occupant of the White House has nevBillingsley ple of years ago, according to his brother). I er done -- acknowledge his mistake and vow to do can’t even imagine what his family is going better. I’ve heard rumbles of folks voting third parthrough. Our prayers go out to George’s family. Yes, the ty. Now isn’t the time for a protest vote. The next president could four Minneapolis officers involved in the death have been choose TWO Supreme Court judges, multiple appellate judges fired, but it’s time for justice. It’s the first step in giving the and forever change the trajectory of justice. Trump already feels Floyd family and all of us who are sick and tired of being like a king, can you imagine how out of control he would be if givsick and tired some peace. en another four years???? (*Disclaimer, the views expressed here are mine...not the Defender’s...now having said that, come, on Here’s a glimpse at what else is in this week’s Defender... y’all! We cannot have this bullying madman for four more years).

On Social

Sports

Coronavirus tops 100,000 deaths

Defender celebrates seniors

In this week’s centerfold, we take a look at some of the most talked-about stories on the Internet. Check out what has people buzzing, and what they have to say about it.

Make sure you check out our In Focus. This is a trying time as states re-open (and y’all’s cousins are losing their minds partying like this virus can’t affect them)...We have a poll from the NAACP on how African Americans are viewing this pandemic. You’ll also want to check out the story from Defender reporter Aswad Walker on the role religion is playing in how people are facing the coronavirus.

Make sure you check out our sports features. Reporters Terrance Harris and Jodie B. Jiles are working overtime to bring you sports updates during this time.

Texas A&M University and Prairie A&M University are joining the Defender to give soon-to-be high school and college graduates a chance to shine with our Senior Spotlight. Visit bit.ly/defenderseniorspotlight2020w. Upload your photo and we will all celebrate your graduation.

Until next time, make sure you’re living your best life!

May 28, 2020 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News Mayoral advisor Keith Wade dead at 65 Keith Wade, a special advisor to Mayor Sylvester Turner and a longtime political strategist, died May 21 after contracting COVID-19. He was 65.

Wade also served as an advisor to former Mayor Annise Parker and an aide to the late Congressman Mickey Leland.

He was the first African American elected president of the University of Houston Students’ Association, serving as president from 1977-1978.

He remained an active part of the campus as an advisor to the UH Hobby School of Public Affairs.

“Keith and I go back 46 years, to our days on the campus of the University of Houston,” Turner said.

“After I was speaker of the student government, he was president. Our journey in politics started on the UH campus.

“Throughout his life, Keith championed the causes of labor, people who have been disenfranchised and he advocated for the rights of people to vote.”

The late Keith Wade

HPD Chief Art Acevedo

CALLS GROW FOR RELEASE OF BODYCAM FOOTAGE

Defender News Service

Houston police have shot and killed six people since April 21, prompting an outcry from activists who are demanding body cam video be released showing what led up to those shootings.

Civil rights leaders staged a protest recently outside of Houston Police Department headquarters demanding transparency in light of the alarming number of people recently killed by police gunfire.

“Six shootings. Not one single video has been released to the public,” said civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen.

“If the officers have no blame, just show the public the video,” said Shelby Stewart, a former law enforcement officer

and activist. of venue and it ends up in The release of police video East Texas or some other footage is a topic HPD Chief part of Texas that isn’t this Art Acevedo has addressed melting pot we call Harris before.

County, with jurors that “We have a responsibility may have a different mindto the family. What makes set than the people of Harris you think the family wants County,” he said during the this to be the last thing in press conference. public?” he said.

However, activists say During a press conference Ashton Woods those killed in police shooton May 11, Acevedo said the ings deserved a fair trial, too. added publicity from releasing body cam“Just because we’re in the middle of a era footage could impact an officer’s trial if pandemic, just because we have multithere’s an indictment later on. He has made ple things going on, accountability does the same arguments several times recently. not stop,” said Ashton Woods with Black “Next thing you know, there’s a change Lives Matter.

Racial divide in mail-in voting issue Defender News Service

Rice University recently surveyed Harris County voters and found that nearly 70 percent of respondents preferred voting by mail if that’s an option.

“We found that a large number of voters – particularly Democrats, women, and persons over 65 – were reluctant to vote in person at a polling location on or before Election Day,” said Rice political scientist Bob Stein.

Stein also found that African Americans are far more nervous about voting in person, with just 17.7% of those surveyed saying they would do so even if social distancing protocols were in place. More than 41% of voters said they would vote in person. Among those voters, Stein said, the majority were Democrats, many were women and as a group, were slightly more likely to be over 65.

MAIL-IN BALLOT SURVEY RESULTS African-American

IN-PERSON VOTING WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING 17.7%

White

41.2%

Hispanic

22.6%

Asian

28.6%

Multiracial African-American

33.3% MAIL-IN BALLOT

White Hispanic Asian Multiracial

23.5% 10.4% 17.9% 22.9%

Source: Rice University

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DN News

Friends, family reeling over George Floyd’s death Defender News Service

School and played on the 1993 state chamThe family of a Houston man killed by pion football team.

Minneapolis police are calling for justice.

“He was actively starting; rotated tight George Floyd’s family in Houston said end and wide receiver,” said Donnell Coothe video of his final moments is murder per, a former classmate like so many othcaught on camera. The now-viers who were stunned to learn ral cell phone video shows a of his death. “Everybody I’ve white Minneapolis police officer talked to has been appalled at pinning Floyd down by kneeling the video.” on his neck.

Bishop James Dixon, a family “The first time I heard him say spokesperson, says the video is ‘I can’t breathe,’ it was more than I heartbreaking. He expects more could take,” said Shareeduh Tate, protests in Houston in the comFloyd’s cousin. ing days.

The family was devastated and George Floyd “Tonight, we’ve got a dead citshocked to see Floyd’s calls for izen—a citizen, a son of Houshelp go ignored. So were the public’s pleas ton, Texas—and all Houstonians should be to help him breathe and get off his neck. equally outraged,” Dixon said.

“It’s unbelievable, unbelievable to see Officers were arresting George for what someone suffer in the way that he did,” said police called a non-violent forgery.

Tera Brown, another cousin.

Minneap olis Mayor Jacob Frey Floyd was working in Minneapolis, but announced the four officers seen in that cell Houston was home, where he was well- phone video have been fired. known and beloved in the Third Ward.

Ben Crump, the family’s attorney, says Floyd graduated from Jack Yates High the officers should be charged with murder.

People gather and pray around a makeshift memorial in Minneapolis, near the site where George Floyd died. - AP

Biden gaffe could mean Black running mate Defender News Services

Some supporters of former Vice President Joe Biden believe the now-infamous “you ain’t Black” interview with Charlamagne Tha God could pave the way for a Black vice presidential candidate.

The presumptive Democratic nominee was reportedly vetting Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — both white — while he considers who should be his vice presidential running mate.

But after Biden jokingly questioned voters’ Blackness if they didn’t support him on Election Day, many believe it may be in his best interest to only consider Black running mates as a way to repair any harm done by his comment.

During the “Breakfast Club” interview Biden responded to a question by saying that, “If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t Black.”

The combination of Biden being publicly shamed from all sides and the scrutiny of Klobuchar could lead to a Black vice presidential candidate (the first in history) following rumors he was shying away from making such a decision.

Former Vice President Joe Biden.

Despite pressure, Biden previously made it known that he would not commit to picking a woman of color. But after the comment, Biden may not have any other choice than to select a Black woman as his running mate.

She the People, a women’s group that advocates for diversity in politics, demanded days before Biden’s fateful radio interview that choosing Klobuchar “risks losing the very base the Democrats need to win, most centrally women of color, and could be a fatal blow to the Democrats’ chance to win the White House.”

Do Democrats really want two

people (Biden and Klobuchar) trying to repair their statuses with Black America leading a presidential ticket against someone who also needs to repair his status with Black people?

That question paves the way for Biden to choose California Sen. Kamala Harris or Florida Rep. Val Demings, the latter of whom was also reportedly being vetted. Stacey Abrams’ name has seemingly fallen off of the list of VP front-runners, but she may be his best choice since she doesn’t have the same prosecutorial baggage that Harris and Klobuchar do and Demings doesn’t necessarily have that same kind of name recognition that the others enjoy.

Harris has been visibly active in all aspects of government since suspending her own presidential campaign, first focusing on Trump’s impeachment before leading the legislative fight for justice as the coronavirus ravages Black communities across the country.

She has also been a loud and agitating voice decrying the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, two cases that are personal for Black people in America. Those virtues could also push

her past the VP sweepstakes’ finish line.

That would also help convince Black voters that Biden has them in mind when selecting his running mate. Many Black voters sat out the 2016 election. And while it’s doubtful that will happen this time around thanks in no small part to President Donald Trump,

Black voters’ support for Biden was never a given despite polling support that shows otherwise.

In the end, Biden’s words to Charlamagne Tha God have left him with fewer choices for VP than he had before the fateful interview. That could bode well for the Black women seeking to be his running mate.

VOLUME 89 - ISSUE 31 - MAY 28, 2020 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Associate Editor Marilyn Marshall

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

People Editor Aswad Walker

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

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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Leslie R., Bank of America Consumer Bank Team

Sharing our appreciation My teammates and I in Houston are deeply grateful to those working on the front lines to fight a global health crisis — the health care providers, first responders and essential service workers. This includes many across Bank of America who are working around the clock in financial and service centers to provide guidance and support to our clients.

We’re committed to our teammates’ safety and well-being, providing new and enhanced benefits, including free access to virtual health care and emotional wellness programs, support for child and adult care, and meals for those in the office. Our extensive workplace health and safety measures adhere to the latest CDC guidelines.

Eligible teammates are paid based on their regular schedules, even if hours are reduced. We also increased our minimum hourly wage to $20, one year ahead of schedule, and have committed to no layoffs in 2020.

We are here to help. Please stay safe and well.

Hong Ogle Houston Market President

For more information, please visit bankofamerica.com/helpfulresources.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. © 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL Kwame Kilpatrick

Grim milestone

Denied early COVIDrelated prison release

U.S. coronavirus death toll surpasses 100,000.

Poll reveals COVID-19 impact on Blacks This is how African Americans really feel

85%

20%

15%

of African Americans had friends or family members who died from the coronavirus while 23% had friends or family members who had gotten sick.

80%

think that Trump has done a poor job of responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

36%

20%

80%

preferred to hold off on ending the shutdown to assure their safety ahead of boosting the economy.

64%

agree they are less likely than whites to be offered COVID-19 testing and 60% agree they are less likely than whites to have everything done to save their lives in the hospital.

59%

41%

were working from home during the pandemic and 39% wanted to stay home and work but could not.

25%

75%

think that Trump is the single most dangerous threat to African American people.

Defender News Service

A new poll shows how African Americans are being impacted by and responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

Its findings reveal that among other things, 36% of respondents had lost a job or had a cut in hours, 31% did not have enough money for food and 28% had trouble paying their rent or mortgage. An overwhelming majority disapprove of President Donald Trump’s

response to the pandemic.

The poll was sponsored by the NAACP, in partnership with the African American Research Collaborative and the Equity Research and Innovation Center at Yale School of Medicine.

“This poll brings attention to the true sentiment of Black communities within this pandemic and beyond,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP.

CONGRESS URGED TO UNIFY FOR PANDEMIC EQUITY TriceEdneyWire.com

As the U. S. House of Representatives awaits the political fate of another multi-trillion dollar coronavirus relief bill, called the “Heroes Act,” Black Wealth 2020 (BW2020), a national catalyst for economic justice for African Americans, is pressing Congressional leaders to unify for equity for the millions of pandemic victims who have yet to receive it.

“Each of our respective national organizations is comprised of memberships who are struggling to adjust to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, stated a letter from BW2020 primarily addressed to House and Senate leaders Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy and Charles Schumer.

“Though the members of this coalition have made every effort to guide their members to resources designed to help them navigate stimulus programs like the Payroll Protection Program, our organizations see the need to implement equitable and transparent programs that help disadvantaged communities weather this unprecedented storm.”

The letter said that the previous CARES Act (PPP), was worthy of applause for its “valiant efforts” but many businesses in the minority community were not able to receive equitable financial relief.

Black Wealth 2020 is comprised of major Black organizations with thousands of members in banking, business and home ownership. Among other new policies, the letter suggested: A policy requiring credit bureaus not to report late payments on all credit reports for three months and a required erasure of late payments from credit reports for the same period that have already been filed.

A fund released to banks from which individuals could redeem up to $600 to cover one month’s payment of a bill with proof of the bill they are attempting to pay.

Establishment of a $25 million Home Ownership Assistance and Outreach Program through HUD. Adding $100 million to Technical Assistance and Outreach Grants through the Minority Business Development Agency.

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DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB OnSocial What others are saying PARTY PATROL

HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM!

“People have lost their mind like the virus is gone. Just because things are open it doesn’t mean to not follow precautions.”

Texas A&M University and Prairie View A&M University

Beyonce’, the Obamas to speak at virtual graduation ceremony

– Misha Gidrey

“Went out for the first time last week to the store. I was astonished by the amount of people not taking the virus serious!

It’s sad.”

– Erin Elise

are joining the Defender in saluting our seniors.

YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020 will be the only commencement of the season featuring speeches from both President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as well as Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

“Dear Class of 2020” will air on Saturday, June 6 on YouTube and the Learn@Home site, starting at 2 p.m.

Visit bit.ly/defender

seniorspotlight2020

“People need to follow the rules! It’s not about YOU and YOUR rights/freedoms! Follow the rules or STAY at home!”

ReShonda Tate Billingsley

– Greg Evans

“You are exposing everybody who is there, and they are exposing everybody who’s not there — who chose to do the right thing. So your rights stop where my rights begin.”

– Mayor Sylvester Turner

Mayor Sylvester Turner is troubled by reports of crowds in clubs and bars that appeared to exceed the 25% capacity listed in Gov. Greg Abbott’s most recent order allowing for the opening of such businesses. Turner, who argued such actions would set back the city’s pandemic response, directed the city’s fire marshal to enforce those regulations with citations. The decision is a reversal from his previous comments last week, in which he said the city would not be enforcing capacity restrictions on bars and restaurants without additional backup from the state.

“I went to the party at Cle’. I’ve been cooped up in the house and wanted to party. If I want to party among my peers, I should have that right.”

COMMUNITY IN UPROAR

Another black man killed by police

– Ava Washington

“Open doesn’t mean you have to go...just don’t get on here with a GoFundMe for the burials!”

– Sandra Mukes Johnson

Viral park confrontation: White woman apologizes A white woman has apologized for calling police on a Black man in New York City’s Central Park after the two argued about her unleashed dog.

“I’m not a racist. I did not mean to harm that man in any way,” Amy Cooper said, adding that she also didn’t mean any harm to the African American community.

“This is the best example of white women lying about Black men “endangering” their lives. I hope she gets a hefty fine for false reporting.”

“Apology not accepted. She called 911 and lied about a Black man threatening her. She tried to get him assassinated. Thankfully, her murder attempt failed.

Now she wants to apologize since she is trending world wide.”

“He’s a Harvard grad and he was minding his business bird-watching in a public park that has rules. This woman did not think rules applied to her so she called the cops on him and said he was attacking her. What a p.o.s.”

-Pam Gaskin

-Rosa Jennings

-Cecie Reed

Handcuffed Black man dies after white Minneapolis cop arresting him for forgery kneeled on his neck while he screamed in pain. Four officers were fired.

What others are saying...

“It is beyond enough is enough!!!! When you can watch a man beg for his life for over 9 minutes and have NO compassion, you are no longer a human, you are a monster! This is OUTRAGEOUS!” -Tres Dunmore Adams

“I couldn’t sleep after watching that video. So sad. Kept thinking about my sons and my brother.”

-Valencia Bell

“I wonder how close this footage is to the officers account of what happened. I will pray for the person that recorded this.

The people filming these injustices sometimes end up arrested for some random charge.”

- Nakecia Bowers

“That’s not a police officer/public servant; that’s a murderer who duped the system long enough to manage to get permission to wear a uniform. There are a lot of honorable LEOs that I know and love. I hope all men and women who wear the uniform unite and begin to call-out, condemn all acts of racism and savagery within their ranks, and stop it in its tracks. It has to start with you.”

- Tanya Burgo Ferrera

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

‘MASK UP’ MESSAGE FROM MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER

After seeing the large crowds of people gathering during the Memorial Day weekend failing to wear mask or practice social distancing, the mayor of Houston was moved to speak out.

Mayor Sylvester Turner

The global pandemic has created a new normal for everyone. It’s hard to adjust to following the public health recommendations from medical professionals and accept the daily inconveniences necessary to stay safe from the coronavirus.

I get that. We’ve been living our lives isolated from family and friends and away from our regular routines. For many people, Memorial Day weekend felt like a chance to escape lockdown and let loose, fellowship with friends and family, cool off at the beach or in pools, and party at bars and nightclubs.

But as our city’s businesses re-open and we resume more of our usual activities, we still need to follow the CDC guidelines for social distancing, masking up and sanitizing.

Quite frankly, I was deeply disturbed by the Memorial Day weekend news reports on large crowds of people gathering throughout our city. The social media pictures I saw of the start-of-summer festivities were alarming because very few people were social distancing or wearing masks or face coverings of any kind.

And I thought, maybe the people in these crowds and walking around without masks haven’t been tested for the coronavirus like I have.

Maybe, unlike me, no one in their lives has tested positive for the virus and quarantined themselves from their loved ones to prevent them from getting sick.

Maybe, unlike me, no one in their lives has been hospitalized with COVID-19 and forced to breathe through a ventilator because their lungs are filled with fluid and unable to work on their own.

Maybe, unlike me, no one in their lives has died from the COVID-19 illness alone in a hospital bed without any loved ones there to hold their hands and kiss them goodbye.

Maybe, unlike me, no one in their lives has been remembered at a funeral service that only a handful of people could attend because of the threat of the virus.

COVID-19 hasn’t left the City of Houston. This virus kills. And we cannot afford to let our guards down.

I am a father, an uncle and a friend. As your mayor, I am asking you to MASK UP to save lives, including your own.

MASK UP and stay six feet away from others to protect yourself and them. The CDC says that keeping space between you and others is one of the best tools we

Mayor Sylvester Turner

have to avoid being exposed to this virus and slowing its spread here in Houston and across the country and world.

MASK UP and go get tested at one of our free testing sites. The CDC now estimates that a third of all people in the US who have this virus do not exhibit symptoms and that 40 percent of coronavirus transmission occurs before people feel sick.

MASK UP to show your love for your family and friends. Using bandanas and other simple cloth face coverings helps to slow the spread of the virus by people who may have the virus and don’t know it.

And don’t let the fear of missing out dictate your life. Even if an establishment allows crowds, be a leader and make a different choice.

So far in Houston, more than 125 people have died from COVID-19 and hundreds more have been diagnosed. Right now, hospital intensive care units in our region have enough beds to take care of everyone who gets sick. But, if too many people have the virus at the same time, we will run out of beds.

We will run of out ventilators. And that means we could lose many, many more people.

Tony Pierce, one of my fraternity brothers, died this month from complications of pneumonia and COVID-19. His wife Gayle and daughter Nia are now living a new normal that will never change. Their future will always be without Tony by their sides.

“Stop being macho. Stop trying to be cute. Put the mask on,” Gayle Pierce said at a recent news conference at City Hall.

Please listen to the warnings from the Pierce family, the physicians, public health officials and government leaders. Every person in this city is responsible for keeping everyone safe and well.

We can’t afford for this virus to get out of control. If we have another large outbreak, our economy will stop again, and the stayat-home orders could go back into place.

But, most importantly, more people will die.

Start or continue to MASK UP with a proper mask or face covering. Wash your hands. Keep a physical distance of six feet from others who are not members of your household.

All of our lives depend on each one of you.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL Believers exercise faith amid COVID-19?

Aswad Walker

A meme suggesting that persons who wear masks during the current pandemic lack faith in God is just one example of a growing debate.

It comes amid President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that places of worship are essential and should re-open immediately, and news that up to 30 Church of God in Christ clergy, members of the largest African American Pentecostal denomination, recently died of COVID-19.

The question for some: how should people of faith conduct themselves socially?

During a recent episode of “Fish, Grits & Politiks,” show creator and host Marcus Davis asked Dr. Anthony Pinn, author and professor of Religious Studies at Rice University, if practicing social distancing was denial of faith and an exercise in fear.

“No, it’s a recognition that there’s something wonderful about the integrity of life.

And that part of this [religious] obligation involves maintaining the integrity of life.

You can do that at home…,” Pinn said.

“There’s something about this larger commitment that ought to be to the

welfare of folks. And having folks come into a context which they can easily be infected and expose others, I just don’t understand how you make that about faith as opposed to the offering plate.”

Pinn further pushed back against ministers encouraging their members to resume in-person worship, asserting those ministers “are confusing sanctification with stupidity.”

“You can make the Bible say whatever you want… [but] the biblical text shouldn’t rule out common sense. Here is a virus.

You cannot detect whether a person has it or not. And it’s deadly. Stay home.”

Pinn asserted that rather than trying to rationalize or “theologize” the virus, we find answers to the question, “How do we behave in the face of something we can’t control?”

Regarding the meme suggesting wearing a mask shows a lack of faith, numerous ministers chimed in, all coming to the same conclusion.

“It reduces the reality of God and God’s protection to our willingness to take health risks while ignoring scientific realities God has revealed,” said Dr. Earle Fisher, pastor, Abyssinian Baptist

Church in Memphis.

“God is creative intelligence. So, when we fail to use intelligence and respond in ignorance, we are not demonstrating faith, we are rejecting the power of God,” said Rev. Djenaba Akida, executive pastor, Shrine Houston.

“In the mask-up issue I ask myself, am I doing this for me or in sacrifice and love for others to see Jesus in me,” said church planter Howard Lee Thomas III. “And that’s why personally, I decided to mask up.” Thomas shared Romans 14:13: “So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.”

Dr. Kwesi Kamau, pastor, Impact Church in Dallas, did not mince words about his feelings on the meme’s assertion.

“This statement is a false expression of power. It is a fairy-tale protest based neither on scripture nor any Godlogic. Strangely, this pseudo theology is grounded in a prosperity motif that gives primacy to American exceptionalism and white supremacy.”

See more responses to the mask meme at www.defendernetwork.com

If I could do one thing, I’d have a daycare closer to work.

If you could do one thing for your community, what would it be? More daycare centers? More funding for Head Start? Completing the 2020 Census is a safe and easy way to inform how billions of dollars in funding flow into your community for hundreds of services.

Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

Complete the census at:

2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.

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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT Calling all SENIORS High school & College You did it! We want to celebrate YOU and the Class of 2020!

You deserve the recognition.

SIGN UP TODAY bit.ly/defenderseniorspotlight2020 Sponsored by

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DN Sports Duo levels playing field for Black QBs Jodie B. Jiles

Today, many privileged white suburban amateur quarterbacks have the luxury of attending the best camps America has to offer during the offseason.

There, they can receive training and advice from the John Grudens and Peyton Mannings of the world on how to become a pro-style quarterback.

On the other hand, some African-American kids from the inner city can’t afford the fees to attend such camps and are rarely invited unless highly ranked.

Personal quarterback gurus John Paul “J.P.” Tillman and Darrel Colbert Jr. want to level the playing field for young, Black, Houston-area QBs with their workout sessions around town, and hope to mold the next crop of prime-time college and pro players.

Both men are experienced leaders on the field.

Tillman, aka the “QB technician,” was one of the top quarterback recruits in the city at Cy Fair High School. He committed to the University of Missouri before transferring to Grambling State where he helped the Tigers win an HBCU National Championship. Due to an abdominal injury, Tillman’s career was cut short in the NFL. He decided to use his knowledge to help other players develop. Today he operates Five Star General Academy for QBs alongside Richard Whitfield.

Tillman works with such players as Terrance Gipson (Southern Methodist University/Westfield HS), Malik Hornsby (University of Arkansas/Fort Bend Marshall HS), Dematrius Davis (back-to-back 6A State Championship MVP, Galena Park North Shore HS /Auburn commit), Ryan Stubblefield (Richmond-Foster HS/ East Carolina commit) and Clifton McDowell (Spring HS/University of Louisiana-Lafayette commit).

Colbert was a standout quarterback at Houston’s Lamar HS, where he compiled a 36-5 record as a starter and led Lamar to its first state championship appearance in over 50 years. He went on to play college ball at SMU and Lamar University, and led LU to its first college playoff appearance.

Colbert currently trains with D’Eriq King (University of Miami/Manvel HS), Kyle Trask (University of Florida/Manvel HS), James Foster (Texas A&M) and Kyron Drones (2019 5A State Championship MVP for Alvin-Shadow Creek HS/Baylor commit).

The Defender spoke with Tillman and Colbert about their work and its impact.

INSPIRATION TO COACH QBS

Coach Tillman takes a pic with UTEP quarterback T.J. Goodwin on signing day

JALEN MILROE, Katy Thompkins HS, University of Texas at Austin commit

PHILOSOPHY Colbert: “I measure my success in life on how many people I can help. I think that is what life is about, and with my business I want to help young QBs just like coaches have helped me throughout my playing time.”

QB DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Tillman: “Each individual I work with has a different development path. So, I have a different way to work with each kid to help them grow and mature. These kids are all at different development stages. [Letting them know] you can do this, this is how it is done, here is the information you need to do it successfully, evens out the playing field...”

TRAINING SCHEDULE Colbert: “All of my training sessions are an hour long.

Most of my guys that I train come two to three times a week; two times during the week and once on the weekend.”

Coach Colbert walks through a drill in a workout session

WHAT QBS SHOULD WORK ON

TOP 5 QBS TO WATCH IN 2021

DEMATRIUS DAVIS, Galena Park HS, Auburn commit

Tillman: “A lot of times with Black quarterbacks, we get the athletic vibe. We get that he can play quarterback in high school but when he gets to college, his feet are too antsy, he is not calm in the pocket, I can’t get him to look at his read because he only sees the pressure. But many of those things are just issues everybody deals with at quarterback whether they are Black or white...It intrigues coaches to think if they have a Black quarterback with speed, he can play wide receiver if he can’t play quarterback. I am definitely one of those quarterback coaches who got into this to void that belief.”

KYRON DRONES, Alvin Shadow Creek HS, Baylor commit

RYAN STUBBLEFIELD, Richmond Foster HS, East Carolina commit

RONALD HOLMES, Northside HS, uncommitted

Tillman: “Keying in on your mechanics is crucial. One of my kids had a very long throwing motion and we worked on the quickness of his delivery, the quickness of his feet in the pocket and his quickness in driving weight to his target [receiver]. All those things can help you get rid of the ball faster, put more power into the ball and have better accuracy, ultimately checking off a few more of those boxes scouts and recruiters are looking for.”

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DN Sports UH men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson took a voluntary 10% pay cut for six months while the school deals with the economic downturn during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Former Rocket Vernon Maxwell was disappointed the Rockets NBA Titles, won when Michael Jordan played baseball, were not mentioned in the Last Dance docuseries.

KERON WILLIAMS EX-FOOTBALL PLAYER TURNS TECH CEO Terrance Harris

As a professional football player, Keron Williams had achieved the notoriety of being a great defensive lineman and of being a champion in the Canadian Football League.

But his purpose didn’t really come to him until 2014 when he stood at the podium to discuss the logo he had designed for that year’s CFL Festival. That was the beginning of the journey that has led Williams from the field to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur here in Houston.

“I had had a very successful career,” Williams said. “I had accomplished everything that I could ever want in terms of accolades, accomplishments and championship. I thought this is going to be my transition into a differ sphere in terms of being creative and helping people to understand what they are trying to present in terms of a story to a consumer market.”

From that moment, Williams turned his zeal for designing websites and logos into a successful business that helps startups, small businesses and mid-sized companies shape their tech and brand identity.

His company, Gravitt8 Development does website development, mobile application development along with Designs UI/UX Designs and consultation.

Not bad for a kid, who bounced around to eight different schools in West Palm Beach, Fla. as a product of a single-parent home, then began his college career at the University of Massachusetts with a 0.75 GPA before getting his act together to finish with a stellar playing career and a degree in Fine Arts.

“To think that our company is generating more than what I was making playing football is really astonishing especially at

Keron Williams, a former defensive lineman with Canada’s B.C. Lions, made a play against the Calgary Stampeders during the CFL Western Final football game in Vancouver, B.C., in 2012. (AP/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward)

the thought I can just sit down and do it,” said Williams, who spent eight years playing professional football primarily in the CFL. “I don’t have to put on pads, I don’t have to play in cold weather.

I can just sit down and delegate.

It’s great.”

But Williams does far more than give orders. He has sought to make a difference in the community since relocating on faith with his family from Orlando to Houston two years ago. Williams has been a mentor to young people and has offered his tech insight to companies free of charge to help them better understand the importance of their stories and communicating with the consumer via technology, especially during this time of COVID-19 where small companies are especially being hit hard.

He received The Millennial on The Move Award presented by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2019.

“I think in this day and age everyone should understand the fundamentals around technology whether it’s the front

facing of Zoom and how to navigate social media or the back end basic HTLM,” Williams said. “We are starting to shape how to incorporate some of those practices, especially in the minority community where information like that is seen as daunting. But it’s important because that’s where we are moving.”

Follow Terrance Harris on Twitter @terranceharris

SportsNote: Hyde picked up by Seattle Former Texans running back Carlos Hyde has reached a deal to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. In his one season with the Texans last year, Hyde ran for a career-best 1,070 yards and six touchdowns on 245 carries in 16 games.

TSU women’s golfers recognized

ABOUT KERON WILLIAMS

Age: 35 College: University of Mass Professional playing career: Played in CFL from 2006-2014.

Teams he played for: Calgary Stampeders, Montreal Alouettes and BC Lions.

Family: Married to Ariel Williams and they have two children

For the second time in three years, the Texas Southern women’s golf team received a public recognition award from the NCAA after achieving a perfect score of 1,000 for its mulit-year APR. As a department, 12 of TSU’s 14 sports scored a 950 or higher while no sports are subject to any penalties for the 10th straight year.

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Helping local businesses stay Texas Strong

Plano-based Akorbi offers translation and interpretation services in over 170 languages, including American Sign Language (ASL). When demand for in-person interpretation plummeted in the wake of COVID-19, they quickly turned to technology.

Knowing more people were moving online, they did too—increasing their use of Google Ads. As a result, they've seen a huge uptick in demand for their video remote solutions.

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Find free resources for your small business at google.com/smallbusiness

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