Houston Defender: May 30, 2019

FEATURE

REPORT: AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN ARE SUCCEEDING IN AMERICA P8

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Volume 88 | Number 31

MAY 30, 2019 |FREE

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Executive Director Deloyd Parker

NEWSTALK KELLIN MCGOWAN Black valedictorian makes history at school

P2 NATIONAL BERNIE SANDERS uses Pamela Turner shooting in campaign ad

P3

Blacks in Pearland Opportunities & challenges exist

The director’s new four-part Netflix series “When They See Us,” is a horrific odyssey five teens endured over 25 years, from the 1989 night they were arrested to the day a settlement was reached with the city in 2014.

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TRE RICHARDSON

possesses golden glove at Kingwood

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Ava DuVernay highlights Central Park 5

H.S. SPORTS

George Springer

TOP EVENTS

leads the Astros

Fresh off their second 10-game win streak, the Astros have been playing like a team with championship aspirations. They’re currently on a pace that’s equal to 2017, their World Series season.

Alison Leland, Valerie Jarrett, Gregory Campbell at the Valerie Jarrett book signing.

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DEFENDER | MAY 30 | 2019

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Biden makes first Texas trip as 2020 candidate Associated Press

Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden made his inaugural trip to Texas as a 2020 candidate recently, using an event here with teachers to promote a new education plan, his campaign’s first major policy announcement.

Appearing at a town hall organized by the American Federation of Teachers, the former vice president Former Vice President Joe Biden campaigned in Texas for the first time as a highlighted the plan’s call to nearly triple Title presidential candidate.

I funding, which helps donors, including prominent trial lawyers John schools with high percentages of students from Eddie Williams and Lisa Blue Baron. low-income families. The money would be used The AFT town hall nonetheless was a to boost teacher pay, provide pre-K to all 3- and significant event for Biden after a hiatus on the 4-year-olds, and ensure all schools can offer campaign trail. His wife – Jill Biden, a longtime advanced coursework. educator – joined him in Houston, speaking “Everybody’s gonna tell you how much before him. His campaign unveiled the educathey value education,” Biden told a crowd of tion proposal shortly before he took the stage to AFT members at an electrical workers union a crowd that included local U.S. Reps. Sheila hall. “Well, I got an expression I use: Don’t tell Jackson Lee and Sylvia Garcia. me what you value, show me your budget, and I Biden continued to find himself in friendly will tell you what you value.” company as he fielded questions from the audiThe town hall marked the beginning of a ence, including one on charter schools, which two-day swing through Texas by Biden. After have long had a contentious relationship with the AFT town hall, he was headed to a campaign unions. fundraiser in Houston, followed by another one “I do not support any federal money…for in Dallas. for-profit charter schools – period,” Biden said Tickets for the fundraisers started at $1,000, to applause. “The bottom line is it siphons off according to invitations. The events were being money from public schools, which are already in hosted by some of the state’s biggest Democratic enough trouble.”

Kellin McGowan became the first African-American valedictorian at St. Thomas High School since it was founded almost 120 years ago.

Black valedictorian makes history at school Defender News Services

Thousands of Houston-area high school seniors will walk across the stage and receive their diplomas this graduation season. At St. Thomas High School, commencement also marked another milestone.

Senior Kellin McGowan made history this month at the Catholic all-boys’ high school, as he became the first African-American valedictorian since the school was founded almost 120 years ago.

“Honestly, I’m proud to say I’m the first one,” McGowan said. “I think by being valedictorian, I can show other people, particularly within my community, that they can do whatever they set their minds to.”

McGowan not only graduated with a 4.57 GPA, he also received the school’s prestigious Albert R. Gaelens Award, which recognizes the senior student who best embodies the school’s motto of “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge.”

His class, their family members and faculty gave McGowan a standing ovation as he received his diploma and later approached the lectern to deliver his speech.

“Whether the road you’re on leads you to the Oval Office or to a small business in the middle of nowhere, always remember where you came from, sit down, be humble, and complete every task thoroughly, ethically and honestly,” McGowan told his fellow graduates, his speech playing off of popular songs’ lyrics.

The 17-year-old plans to study political science at the University of Chicago.

His social justice teacher and campus minister, Alex Gotay, said that being the first Black valedictorian reflects both where the school is headed and the diversity of Houston.

“I know there’s a lot of pressure, but it’s a good pressure for Kellin,” Gotay said. “And I know where it is that he’s heading. He’s going to do big things.

Whoever’s listening to this, I promise you, remember his name…because he is that special.”

localbriefs QUANNELL X CONFIRMED THAT HE IS NO LONGER representing Maleah Davis’ mother, Brittany Bowens. The Houston activist said there are inconsistencies with her story. Maleah, 4, has been missing for nearly a month after her stepfather, Derion Vence, told police she was kidnapped.

Vence was later booked into the Harris County jail on suspicion of tampering with evidence, a human corpse, according to the jail website. Investigators said they found blood evidence linking to Maleah in his apartment……..THE HOUSTON ALUMNAE CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA THETA, Sorority, Inc. is presenting “Financial Freedom Strategies and Initiatives,” a free community event. It takes

place Saturday, June 8, from 9 to 11 a.m. at One Delta Plaza Educational Center, 3333 Old Spanish Trail. The workshop is designed to introduce participants to concepts that help them achieve economic freedom by addressing debt reduction, spending habits and savings. Attendees will learn strategies for managing debt, saving for emergencies, building and protecting wealth and the importance of leaving a financial legacy. For information call 713-747-8175……..THE CITY OF HOUSTON INVITES PROPOSALS for local public art projects that Mayor Sylvester Turner would endorse for potential grant funding by a National Endowment for the Arts program called Our Town. The federal

agency’s grant program is interested in art projects tied to community priorities such as public safety, health, blight and vacancy, environment, job creation, equity, local business development, education, civic participation, and/or community cohesion. The mayor may nominate two Houston projects for grants up to $200,000. Artists and organizations who receive the grants must provide matching funds. The Our Town program supports projects that create lively, beautiful and resilient places with the arts at their core. The grant embraces the expanding role that culture plays in communities. For more about the Arts and Cultural Plan visit http://www.houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs/ artsandculturalplan.html.

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MAY 30 | 2019 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HIT A NERVE WITH CRITICS when he argued that presidential hopeful Joe Biden would fall flat with Black voters due to his support of the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. Saying African-Americans “won’t be able to vote for you,” Trump said he, on the other hand, helped fix the bad 1994 bill.

Trump pointed out then-Sen. Biden’s “heavy” involvement in the passage of the controversial bill, which critics argue contributed to the mass incarceration of Black and Latino men in the mid-to-late ’90s. For some, Trump’s remarks rang hollow considering his own attitude toward the Black and Latino men wrongly convicted in the Central Park Five case……..A BLACK FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKED THE PASSAGE of an abortion ban in Mississippi.

If the law was passed, abortions six weeks into a pregnancy would have been illegal. Judge Carlton Reeves issued a preliminary injunction blocking the bill from being implemented, saying that it “threatens immediate harm to women’s rights, especially considering most women do not seek abortions services until after six weeks.”

Reeves also blocked the passing of a bill making abortion illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy last year and deemed it unconstitutional……….A SERIES OF DOCUMENTS OBTAINED by a London-based investigative center reveals Russians who were allegedly tied to meddling in the 2016 presidential election developed plans by as late as 2018 – well after previous Russian interference efforts had come to light – to foster a Pan-African state in America. Described by NBC News as a way to “further exacerbate racial discord in the future,” proposals suggested recruiting Black Americans and flying them to camps in Africa “for combat prep and training in sabotage.” The recruits would then be sent back to the U.S. to instigate violence. The docs also posed the notion of enlisting poor, formerly incarcerated Black Americans.

Harvard 2021 class of law students makes statement Defender News Service

The class of 2021 at Harvard Law School has over 60 Black students and is the largest class for Black law candidates in the history of the institution.

In order to showcase their excellence, students created the hashtag #BlackatHarvardLaw with a social media campaign.

With the initiative, the freshman class is aiming to mark its historic presence on the campus, and also encour- Harvard Law School’s class of 2021 is making history at the institution. aging the next generation of lawyers from the Black law candidates will be able to consider apBlack community to do the same. plying at Harvard since they will have the support Armani Madison, Daniel Oyolu, Shane Fowler of the Black community currently studying and and Sarah Rutherford discussed their purpose for making a mark at the institution. the campaign. They also spoke about their collecThe cofounders of the campaign said that when tive experiences as students. they began posting it on social media or their perOyulu said that he found the campaign imporsonal networks, parents were tagging their kids on tant because of the fact that there were so many the posts and commenting, “This could be you.” people who had invested in their success, and enThe students are confident about their succouraged and inspired them to set their goals high. cess even though the odds have often been stacked Rutherford said with the help of the campaign, against people of color.

New Sanders ad uses Pamela Turner killing Defender News Services

VOLUME 88 • NUMBER 31 MAY 30, 2019 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Strategic Alliance Manager

Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Photographers

Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

Editors ReShonda Tate Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Sports Max Edison Jodie B. Jiles Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For digital subscriptions, visit www.DefenderNetwork.com/ subscribe. No paper subscriptions are available. All material covered by 2019 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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The only presidential candidate to seemingly acknowledge the recent police shooting that killed an unarmed Black grandmother in Texas has made the controversial death the centerpiece of a new campaign ad.

Sen. Bernie Sanders released his new commercial on Facebook, but Bernie Sanders it was unclear if he was using Pamela Turner’s death for political gain or to express genuine concern for Black lives – or both.

Turner was gunned down in suburban Houston by Baytown Police Officer Juan Delacruz on the night of May 13 under suspicious circumstances. The 45-year-old grandmother of three reportedly had previous run-ins with Delacruz. They lived in the same apartment complex and

Delacruz allegedly knew Turner suffered from mental illness.

Baytown police said Delacruz approached Turner because she had open warrants, but lawyers representing Turner’s family said that was a lie. The entire deadly episode was recorded on video by a bystander.

Sanders first brought attention to the shooting when he tweeted a video of his senior adviser and former Ohio Sen. Nina Turner speaking about it at a campaign event. Sanders wrote that “Pamela Turner should be alive today.”

The Vermont senator has previously been somewhat ambiguous when it comes to advocating for Black lives, in particular, preferring to emphasize “all lives” instead.

BlackPAC, an independent, Black-led organization, released a new poll that found Sanders in second place for support from Black voters among presidential candidates.

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DEFENDER | MAY 30| 2019

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MAY 30 | 2019 | DEFENDER

entertainment

Director Ava DuVernay (center) and the Central Park Five (l. to r.) – Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Korey Wise, Antron McCray and Yuesf Salaam – attend the premiere of “When They See Us.”

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The series stars (l. to r.) Asante Blackk, Jharrel Jerome, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse and Marquis Rodriguez.

‘When They See Us’

Series, actors revisit Central Park Five case Associated Press

Actor Jharrel Jerome, perhaps best known for his role in “Moonlight,” recalls walking to school a few years ago in his native New York City, worried about an upcoming test, when he was stopped by two police officers.

“Stop! Can I see your bag?” one asked him.

He immediately froze in fear. Jerome let them look though his notebooks, papers and pens. Then they let him go. He was still shaking at his desk hours later.

Jerome, 21, drew heavily on that testy interaction to play Korey Wise, an innocent man who spent 12 years behind bars for a rape in Central Park he never committed.

Wise was one of five Black and Latino teenagers – the others were Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana – who were coerced into confessing to the crime and are collectively known as the “Central Park Five.”

In Ava DuVernay’s new four-part Netflix series “When They See Us,” the horrific odyssey the five endured is shown over 25 years, from the night in 1989 when they were arrested to the day a settlement was reached with the city in 2014.

The case was drawn on racial lines from the outset, with the victim being a young white woman, and it drew worldwide attention. Tabloid headlines compared the teens to a wolf pack, and Donald Trump took out newspaper ads calling for the return of the death penalty in New York state. It took years for the five to be exonerated, and they spent most of their youth in prison. Another man was found guilty of the attack.

The five young actors who play the accused in the first half of the series were horrified to learn details of the case and hope it can lead to changes in the judicial system.

The two New York actors – Jerome and Marquis Rodriguez – were acquainted with the case before land-

ing their roles, but the three others – Asante Blackk, 17, Caleel Harris, 15, and Ethan Herisse, 18 – hadn’t heard of the plight of the Central Park Five. Now they think it’s too important to forget.

“It’s something that needs to continue to be told, to remind everyone that miscarriages of justice can happen,” said Herisse. Harris agreed, and said the case is about something else, too: “It is a story of survival.”

To get into character, all five actors met their counterparts, who charmed the young men with their cheer despite the hardships they faced.

The young actors seem changed by the experience of working on the project and said they wanted to find projects as meaningful down the road.

“I want to be a part of important stories and I want to be a part of the right stories and I want them to be told correctly and to be told with an inclusive mindset,” said Rodriguez, who is next off to work on the “Game of Thrones” prequel.

what’sup There might be some people who are excited that a tour featuring a hologram of WHITNEY HOUSTON is on its way, but the late singer’s cousin DIONNE WARWICK isn’t one of them. Warwick spoke about the tour, unreleased music and a possible Broadway show that will feature the hologram. “It’s surprising to me. I don’t know what it is. I think it’s stupid, but whatever it is, that’s what it is,” Warwick said. Houston’s sister-in-law Pat Houston, who’s the executor of the estate, said the tour is something the singer would’ve been enthused about……..Despite a huge falling-out they had in the 1990s, director

ALLEN HUGHES will direct a five-part docuseries on TUPAC SHAKUR, which is said to be “the first definitive, comprehensive project on Shakur with the full cooperation of the estate.” Hughes will have complete access to all of Shakur’s songs and poetry. Hughes and his brother Albert directed the video for Shakur’s “Brenda Got a Baby” in the early ’90s and cast him in the 1993 film “Menace II Society.” But the late rapper, who was supposed to play the part of a supporting character called Sharif, was fired because he wanted a bigger role which Hughes said would have overshadowed the film.

Hughes later pressed charges against Shakur after an altercation and the rapper was found guilty of assault and battery. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail, probation and community service……..Former Duke Blue Devils superstar ZION WILLIAMSON will presumably be New Orleans’ No. 1 pick during the NBA draft next month, and if selected, MASTER P. and his son LIL ROMEO want to be sure his shoe game is on point. They offered Williamson a massive $20 million shoe deal and a role in the sequel to their comedy flick, “I Got The Hook-Up 2,” which comes out in July.

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DEFENDER | MAY 30 | 2019

Blacks in Pearland

I

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

n less than two decades Pearland has almost quadrupled in size from 38,000 to over 130,000 residents, making it one of the fastest growing and diverse cities in the nation.

With Blacks in Pearland making up roughly 18 percent of the population, local residents and elected officials say there is room for growth.

Pearland is a city that exists as part of three separate counties. Most of the city is in Brazoria County, with portions extending into Harris and Fort Bend Counties.

State Rep Ron Reynolds, whose District 27 includes Pearland, has witnessed change in the area, from the political landscape to the business side.

He said in recent years, “Pearland has elected its first African-American City Councilman, [Derrick Reed]. Also, Pearland has experienced a surge in medical facilities, shopping centers and entertainment venues.

There has been a boom in new businesses relocating to Pearland and a record number of new schools built from bond revenue in both Pearland ISD and Alvin ISD.” Lynette Reddix, former president of the NAACP’s Missouri City chapter, is a former Pearland resident who still owns multiple businesses in the area.

“I’ve seen firsthand the growth of Pearland, with more Black businesses coming into the area,” she said. “Before, it was limited, and you had to go to Ft. Bend or Houston before finding something Black-owned.”

Now, Black businesses are in all corners of Pearland, dotting Shadow Creek Parkway, lining Broadway and adorning Country Place.

From D&G’s Cajun Place, PJ’s Coffee and D’Caribbean Curry Spot, to Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery, Dickey's Barbecue and area favorite Sugar Rush II, Black businesses in Pearland are making their mark, including Reddix’s Lynn’s Taxes & Financial Services.

Additionally, there is the Black-owned school, Bright Learners Academy, operated by Tashia Jamison.

“My husband and I are originally from Lansing, Michigan and Chicago, and moved to Houston for a job opportunity and we decided to make it home,” said Jamison. “We moved to Pearland in 2012, deciding that the area would be our forever home.”

According to Jamison, Reynolds and

others, Black, Latino and Asian millennials are flocking to Pearland because of the planned communities, affordable housing, school quality, shopping options and proximity to Houston.

In 2017 the Jamisons bought Bright

State Rep. Ron Reynolds

Lynette Reddix

Tashia Jamison

Councilmember Derrick Reed

Learners Academy, classified by the state as a childcare facility but the couple runs it like a school.

Retail Survey and Pearland Chamber of Commerce.

“We are academically focused,” Jamison Pearland’s growth shows no signs of slowing said. “Our staff are all degreed or certified down. teachers. My son graduated our kindergarten class and tested into the third grade at 5 years DIVERSITY old. We work super www.DefenderNetwork.com OUTLOOK hard to ensure our kids One-on-one with Councilmember “I anticipate that master content.”

Derrick Reed Pearland will continue to And just as see a surge in minorityJamison’s school has owned businesses moving within its city limits within grown, so too has Pearland. the next one to five years,” Reynolds said.

When founded in the late 1800s, Pear“I also know of more African-Americans who land, named for the over-abundance of pear are seeking public office in Pearland at the local, state trees in the area, had only 75 residents and and federal levels of government. I'm optimistic that 12 businesses, including two general stores. more will be elected to increase the demographic Today, Pearland for the third consecutive year, makeup and diversity of those in leadership positions. is ranked the fastest growing among Texas’ 50 “One of the challenges facing Pearland is that largest retail markets, according to the Texas

currently there are no women on the City Council or Commissioners Court,” Reynolds added.

Reddix said more organizations are preparing to meet such diversity challenges, citing a request to reactivate an area NAACP chapter.

“The need to get more branches organized and running is due to the huge need of adequate civil rights leadership in our areas,” she said.

Councilmember Reed has worked to make a difference in the area for the last 10 years.

“I moved to Pearland in 2013 but became involved in the Pearland community in 2009, helping out an individual running for re-election and becoming a part of the Pearland Chamber,” said Reed, who later helped chart the city’s growth as a member of Pearland’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

Now, much of Reed’s focus is on Pearland’s leadership makeup.

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d Opportunities & challenges exist

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

things to kno w about Pearland, Bra zoria County

Before whites colo nized the region, Br azoria County was Karankawa Indian occupied by s.

According to some sources, the last sh ipment of Africans slaves into North A brought as merica arrived in Br azoria County at th of the San Bernard e mouth River in 1840.

By 1847 Brazoria County had 1,623 white inhabitants an slaves. d 3,013

A Freedman’s Bure au agent arrived in the county in 1865 League organized , the Union and registered Blac k voters by the mid voters elected Blac -1 870s, and k legislator George T. Nathan H. Haller as Ruby as early as 18 late as 1894.

70 and

“Missouri City has been predominantly Black for decades yet has only recently elected its first Black mayor. We have more than enough people who are capable to come onto City Council or one of the commissions, like I did when I got my start,” said Reed, an attorney and former Harris County assistant district attorney.

“We have all these people moving out here, but I’m still the only [Black] on City Council.”

Reed is worried that when his term ends, there won’t be an African-American on the council making “decisions on tax rates, what streets get fixed, how much money gets put into this area or that.”

Reed and others fear that Pearland’s lack of leadership diversity will mean that people of color, despite their numbers, will have little influence.

Along with more Blacks seeking politi-

cal office, Reynolds suggested other ways to increase the influence of people of color.

“Besides running for office, I would encourage more African-Americans and minorities to get involved with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and the Pearland Economic Development Corporation,” said Reynolds, who also mentioned Leadership Pearland.

“Leadership Pearland is designed to identify and bring together men and women in the area who seek the opportunity to expand their involvement in community affairs and are willing to assume leadership positions,” Reynolds added.

Jamison and Reddix believe Pearland’s future is also tied to educational equity.

“Although education is good here, everyone doesn't have access to a great education,” Jamison said.

he Houston area for over 88 years

Such organizations as the Ku Klux Klan , San Bernard Rifle Prairie Rangers att s and empted to champion white supremacy in county in oppositio the n to Reconstruction measures.

The community th at became Pearland was first named M when a post office ark Belt was established in 1893. The name w to Pearland becaus as changed e of the abundance of pear trees in the area.

From 1895 until th e 1950s, the Taxpay ers Union worked "the fact that this is to assure a white man's coun try" and held prim which only whites aries in could vote.

Oil was discovered nearby in 1934. Fr om this time to the population in Pear 1950s the land fluctuated betw een 150 and 350.

By the mid-1960s

the town had 1,497 inhabitants and 41 businesses.

In 1990 the populat ion was 18,697 and the city had expand into Harris County. ed The population was 37,640 in 2000.

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DEFENDER | MAY 30 | 2019

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Report says Black men succeeding in America Defender News Services

In recent years, much of the racial news in America has been sobering, if not depressing. Trayvon Martin. Tamir Rice. Walter Scott. Ferguson. Baltimore.

Charlottesville. Despite how things may seem, a new report shows there is some good news about AfricanAmerican men.

According to the report, “Black Men Making It In America,” compiled from educators W. Bradford Wilcox and Wendy R. Wang (Institute of Family Studies) and Ronald B. Mincy (Center for Research on Fathers, Children and Family Well-Being at Columbia University), Black men are actually succeeding in America.

Despite a portrait of race relations that often highlights the negative, especially regarding Black men, the truth is that most Black men will not be incarcerated, are not unemployed and are not poor – even if Black men are more likely than other men to experience these outcomes.

The report spotlights two pieces of particular good news about the economic well-being of Black men.

• First, the share of Black men in poverty has fallen from 41 percent in 1960 to 18 percent today.

• Secondly, the share of Black men in the middle or upper class – as measured by their family income – has risen from 38 percent in 1960 to 57 percent today.

In other words, about one-in-two Black men in America have reached the middle class or higher.

“This good news is important and should be widely disseminated because it might help reduce prejudicial views of Black men in the society at large, and negative portrayals of Black men in the media. It should also engender hope among all African-Americans – particularly young Black males,” Wilcox said.

Tracking Black men from young adulthood through their 50s using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, the authors identified three factors that are associated with their success: education, work and marriage.

Black men who worked full-time, had some college education, or were married were much more likely to be members of the middle or upper class by the time they got to their 50s.

“We found, for instance, that the odds that Black men make it to the middle or upper class are at least three times higher for those men who marry, compared to their peers who never married. Their financial well-being is higher partly because married Black women contribute a

higher share of income to the household than other married women,” Wang said.

By providing stable work, good health care, housing, and opportunities for advancement, by championing virtues such as duty, responsibility, loyalty, and perseverance, and by pushing racial integration, the U.S. military has served as an important route into the middle class.

The report is not all rose-colored. Black men are significantly less likely to make it into the middle and upper class than their white and Asian-American peers. The odds of Black men in their 50s making it to the middle class were about 60 percent lower for those who were charged with a crime as a young adult.

Given that racial segregation, poverty, and bias affect

the odds that young Black males get caught up in the criminal justice system, systemic racism limits the economic fortunes of Black men.

What’s more, right now, only a small minority of Black men graduate from college – 17 percent. Schools and colleges need to do more to identify, recruit and support young Black men so they are accepted, attend and graduate from four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. “The evidence suggests that if more Americans knew how many Black men were succeeding, and more about the routes they are taking, it would reduce racial prejudice and engender hope among today’s young Black males that they too have a shot at making it in America,” Mincy said.

NABJ helps Black men reclaim narratives Defender News Services

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is on a mission to combat the negative portrayals of Black men in the media. For the third consecutive year, the organization will host its Black Male Media Project as an avenue to empower and inspire Black men to reclaim their narratives.

The project was created a safe space to foster discussions surrounding everything from the need for more diversity and inclusion in newsrooms to the improvement of positive Black male representation.

As part of the global event, which will take place on Saturday, June 1, nearly 20 NABJ chapters will host

workshops, panels and forums. There will be events hosted in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia and other major cities.

“The overarching goal of BMMP is to counteract negative images of Black men often portrayed in the

media,” said NABJ President Sarah Glover. “We encourage all newsrooms across the country to make this a priority because how Black men are portrayed in the news can have a direct impact on issues such as racial profiling, discriminatory hiring practices, violence and more.”

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MAY 30 | 2019 | DEFENDER

Serena eyes French Open finals Associated Press

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9:30 a.m12 noon

T:3.25”

Serena Williams had Serena Williams won in the first round of the already dropped the first set French Open. The ladies’ against 83rd-ranked Vitalia final is on June 8.

Diatchenko and her unforced error total already was at 15 on a windy evening.

So, she reacted by throwing her head back and letting out a scream. Then she stepped to the baseline to serve and stomped her right foot. And simple as that, Williams righted herself: She won 11 of the next 13 points, and 12 of 13 games the rest of the way, to come back for a disappointing-to-dominant 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 victory in the first round of the French white jacket bearing words such as “chamOpen. pion,” “queen,” “goddess” and “mother” in “I just was so frustrated at that point, French. because I have been training well,” she said “Those are things that mean a lot to me afterward. “The past week and a half has been and reminders for me — and for everyone that really good, and, God, it was, like, ‘This isn’t wants to wear it,” Williams explained. “Just the Serena I have been practicing with, or that remind everyone that they can be champions I see every day. I just let out this roar, and here and are queens.”

I am. Yeah, so maybe that helped.”

She made her return to Grand Slam comShe arrived on court with a black-and-

only nine matches all season, and so her pursuit petition in Paris a year ago after missing five of a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title seemed majors because of the birth of her first child. no sure thing.

Williams pulled out before the fourth round That goal seemed even further from her because of an injured chest muscle, then was grasp with the way things began against Diatchthe runner-up at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. enko.

Williams came to Paris this time having “I just got nervous out there and I stopped withdrawn from each of her past two tournamoving my feet. And [it] was, like, concrete ments because of a balky left knee, and the one blocks on my feet. I was like, ‘You got to do before that because of illness. She had played T:4.79”something,’” Williams said.

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Astros the hottest team in baseball

By MAX EDISON Defender Justin Verlander is pitching While some Houston sports fans are still lamenting at an “elite level.” what could have happened with the Rockets against the Warriors or wondering when Jadeveon Clowney will report to Texans OTAs, the Houston Astros are the hottest team in Major League Baseball.

Fresh off their second 10-game win streak, the Astros have been playing like a team with championship aspirations. They’re currently on a pace that’s equal to 2017, their World Series season.

“We want to keep winning as many games as we can,” Houston manager A.J. Hinch explained. “Obviously, it’s a huge accomplishment.

These guys out here, they’re playing hard, they’re playing well, we’re playing good defense, we’re pitching, we’re hitting. When we play all facets like that, we have a chance to win every night.” ley said. “They Justin Verlander, the ace welcomed me of the pitching staff, is off to here with open an exceptional start. The arms. The coachbig righthander is currently ing staff has been 8-1 with a 2.24 ERA. His great to me. They hot start is a reason the made me feel team has gotten out of the comfortable here box this early in the season. really quick.”

“I’m glad every five Right fielder days we’ve got him out Michael Brantley is a welcome addition to the line-up.

George Springer there pitching at an elite is an All-Star level,” Hinch said. “When and a World that happens, we know we Series MVP. Now can win.” pencil him in as The Astros offense has an early season been in a word, explosive.

MVP candidate.

They recently hit 30 home His bat has been runs over a 10-game stretch, on fire early this George Springer leads the American League in home runs. the most in franchise history. season. He is The entire lineup has been the AL leader in home runs and RBI. During one hot offensively, but newnine-game stint this season he batted .486 with six comer Michael Brantley, home runs and 13 RBI. Couple his explosive ofalong with George Springer fense with superior defensive play and you have a and Carlos Correa, are the special player having an MVP season. leaders of the hit parade.

Shortstop Carlos Correa is Lefthander Brantley, an healthy after an injury-plagued 2018 offseason free agent acquiseason. The 2015 Rookie of the and a third-place MVP finisher. sition from the Cleveland Year is back and he’s making his presBrantley is having an All-Star caliber Indians, has been a tremendous ence felt. Correa is making highlight reel plays on a season and credits the smooth transiaddition to the Astros lineup. regular basis on defense and his batting average is tion to his new surroundings as a key Brantley has battled a series of just a few digits below 300 (.291) with 33 RBI. to his hot start. shoulder injuries over the past It’s often noted that the MLB season is a mara“It’s an adjustment period few years, but is finally healthy. thon, not a sprint. Consider the red-hot Astros the when you first switch to a new How good is a healthy Brantleader after the first quarter of the race. team after being with Cleveley? In 2014 he was an All-Star, land for a long time,” Branta Silver Slugger Award-winner Carlos Correa is making his presence felt this season.

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MAY 30 | 2019 | DEFENDER

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Tre Richardson

Kingwood shortstop possesses gold glove

By JODIE B. JILES Defender

K About Richardson

Twitter: #trey_richardson4 IG: @_treyrichardson4 Baseball player he studies: Andrew McCutchen Favorite subject: History Hobbies: Intramurals, playing PS4 video games MLB The Show & NBA2K Shout-outs: “My mom, dad, coaches and team”

Richardson uses his bat to lead off a five-run inning. (Photos by Jimmie Aggison)

ingwood High School junior short stop Tre Richardson has proven to have one of the best gloves in the Houston area. In the 7-5 Game 1 regional semifinal victory over powerhouse Lamar, it seemed that Richardson would make a play with his glove regardless of the circumstance.

Kingwood head baseball coach Kelly Mead discussed what makes Richardson special.

“He’s our leadoff hitter, our shortstop and the guy that we go to. He’s our sparkplug,” Mead said. “When he is playing well and making plays in the field and at the plate, it’s a ‘when he goes, we go’ type thing.

“The most important thing is that Tre Richardson uses his golden glove to create a double play. he is a junior and has started since he Richardson: Because I have been here for three was a freshman,” Mead continued. “In years I kind of know the ins and outs of Kingwood his freshman year we went to the second round of the baseball…I am not really a vocal guy but I do lead playoffs, sophomore year the regional quarterfinals by example. and here we are in the regional semifinals. Not only Defender: What will it take for the team to is Tre a great player but he also has a lot of high advance to state this year? school playoff experience. He has a fire in his guts Richardson: We and right now is playing just need to keep doing well.” www.DefenderNetwork.com what we have been doThe Defender spoke Meet Kingwood pitcher Masyn Winn ing all season, playing with Richardson after lockdown defense and his performance against putting the ball in play.

Lamar about his style of Defender: What advice do you have for play, leadership style and more. younger baseball players who want to achieve the Defender: How would you describe your style same success you have? of play as a shortstop?

Richardson: Don’t worry about it and just have Richardson: I get a lot of respect for my glove fun. Whenever you press and put all the pressure on and I’ve known that as a player since my freshman yourself, you don’t have the success that you want. year…My glove is a big reason why I am where I But when you have fun it will usually go your way. am right now, with my release and quick transfer.

Defender: What inspired your decision to Defender: What is your process of making commit early to the University of Houston and plays in the field?

Richardson: I’m reading the ball off the bat and why do you believe their program is a perfect fit for you? my mind I’m going wherever the ball goes, trying Richardson: I really want to be close to home. to get my body there and trying to do whatever I can to get in front of the ball. I have the mentality of just I love the coaching staff up there and I like the fact that they are a blue-collar, hard-nose program that getting to the ball and my fundamentals take over takes [athletes] who want to be baseball players. If afterward. you can play you will usually get on the field and Defender: How has your leadership style that is what I love about it most.” made an impact this season?

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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

topevents

VALERIE JARRETT BOOK SIGNING……..Valerie Jarrett, the longest-serving Music, food, dance and an African Market Place were available to all who attended, senior advisor in the Obama White House and long-time friend of the former first including SHAPE Executive Director Deloyd Parker, Mayor Sylvester Turner, family, came to Houston recently as part of her national tour promoting her book, Swatara Olushola, Jawad, Osunbunmi Gaidi, Clarence, Takiyah and Amber “Finding My Voice.” A packed house at the Houston Public Library’s Julia Ideson Sirmons, Volunteer Houston, K-Rino, Alberta Jackson, Irene Braxton, Ramond Building greeted Jarrett as she shared her journey as a daughter, mother, lawyer, Thompson, Eric Rose and countless others……..LAWSON ACADEMY SPARK business leader and leader in government during the historic Obama administration.

PARK DEDICATION……..During their last days of school, members of the Attendees included Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Dr. Rhea Lawson, Paula Lawson Academy took time out to celebrate the SPARK Park Dedication at their Giddings, Alison Leland, Gregory Campbell, Carl Davis, campus. The SPARK School Program works with schools and Naomi Crawford, Marjorie Gonzalez, Eureka Gilkey, neighborhoods to develop community parks on public school Defender TOP EVENTS grounds. In the past 30-plus years, SPARK has built over 200 Janice Ford Griffin, Betty Lockhart, Gayle Gardner More photos on defendernetwork.com and many more……..40th ANNUAL PAN AFRICAN community parks throughout Harris County. Founded in 2002, the CULTURAL FESTIVAL……..SHAPE Community Center Lawson Academy (grades 6-8) provides single-gender education hosted its 40th Annual Pan African Cultural Festival at Our (boys learn with boys; girls learn with girls) and offers specialized Park. The event celebrates “Africa Freedom Day,” initially declared in 1958 by some reading and math programs. Attendees included Rev. William Lawson, Dr. Marthea of the most iconic leaders of the Pan African world, and officially moved to May Raney (principal), Mary Ramos, Cheryl Lawson, Chavon Carr, Yolanda 25 in 1965. This year’s festivities celebrated African-American history, ancestors Smith, Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Lawrence Battle, Annette Simmons, Kevin and victories over all forms of oppression, while pointing to work still to be done.

Graham, Paul Washington, Councilmember Dwight Boykins and others.

Alison Leland, Valerie Jarrett, Gregory Campbell

Deloyd Parker, Osunbunmi Gaidi, Judah Grady

Adgrienna Berry, Dr. Marthea Raney, Adrian Berry

Paula Harris, Deirdre Barrett England

Sonya McNeal, Amber McNeal, Mayor Sylvester Turner

Cheryl Lawson, Rev. William A. Lawson, Mary Ramos

Janice Ford Griffin, Betty Lockhart, Gayla Gardner

Clarence Sirmons, Takiyah Sirmons, Amber Sirmons

Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Yolanda Smith

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