Houston Defender: June 04, 2015

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Volume 84 | Number 27 JUNE 4, 2015 |FREE

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NEWSTALK ANNISE PARKER helps homeless veterans

P2 LOCAL BARRON WALLACE joins Metro board

P4 FEATURE DAMEION CROOK encourages prep grads

P9 TOP EVENTS

Ann Cook, Dr. Eric Peterson and Jacqueline Preston at Defender/ Kelsey-Seybold luncheon

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‘BRAXTON FAMILY VALUES’ RETURNS TO TV H PAGE 5

Arian Foster potential HBO star HBO’s football-based reality show “Hard Knocks” is coming to Houston, and Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster could be a player to watch. See why the network is “thrilled” to chronicle the Texans’ training camp. Find out what team executives have to say.

Juvenile justice reform wanted An estimated 100,000 youth get caught up in Texas’ juvenile justice system each year, and the majority are young people of color. Read why advocates say reform is needed.

Learn about solutions to the problem. See what steps state lawmakers have taken.

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DEFENDER | JUNE 4 | 2015

newstalk

Houston houses homeless veterans

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ayor Annise Parker announced gains Houston has made in ending veteran homelessness.

Over 35 local agencies collaborated to build a nationally-recognized response system that has housed over 3,650 homeless veterans in just over three years, and has the resources to house every homeless veteran (or those at risk of homelessness) in Harris and Fort Bend Counties.

Parker was joined at the announcement by HUD Secretary Julián Castro, U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert F. McDonald, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez, Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, other community leaders and local veterans.

“Too often those that answered the call of service still find themselves struggling long after leaving the military,” Parker said. “Houston is there for our heroes, and just like on the battlefield, we will leave no one behind.”

Houston has the nation’s second largest veteran population (300,000). The city is engaged with all known veterans who have been identified as experiencing homelessness and has put in place a rapid identification and outreach system for responding to new instances of homelessness among veterans.

“Our courageous veterans deserve the opportunity to experience the American dream they’ve risked so much to defend,” Castro said. “Thanks to our coalition of federal and local leadership, Houston has developed the tools to identify and support every veteran in the city experiencing homelessness.”

In 2014, Parker accepted First Lady Michelle Obama’s

Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. Houston is the first of the nation’s 40 largest cities to accomplish the challenge.

Any veteran experiencing housing instability is encouraged to call the VA Homeless Veteran Hotline at 1-877-4AID-VET, or visit the McGovern VA Drop-in Center at 1418 Preston.

Mayor Annise Parker shares good news about homeless veterans. (Photo by Valarie Watson, City of Houston Housing and Community Development Dept).

County reaches $400,000 settlement with inmate Harris County Commissioners Court settled a legal claim by Terry Goodwin, a mentally ill inmate who in 2013 was left in his county jail cell for weeks with trash, insects and piles of his own feces.

The five members of Commissioners Court unanimously voted to pay Goodwin $400,000 for physical and emotional suffering. The incident prompted terminations, suspensions and demotions for jail staff and

led to criminal charges against two other jailers.

Members of Goodwin’s family recently joined Quanell X in calling for justice in the case and were critical of former Sheriff Adrian Garcia, who resigned to run for mayor.

Sheriff Ron Hickman, who was appointed to replace Garcia, said he agreed with the settlement.

“My administration is dedicated to rectifying the

wrongs done to Mr. Goodwin, and changing the culture of the Sheriff’s Office to ensure these instances never occur in the future,” Hickman said.

County Judge Ed Emmett called it “a sad incident.”

He also said the court wanted to make sure the money would go directly to Goodwin, who is serving a three-year sentence at Hutchins State Jail in Dallas for burglary and assaulting a jail guard.

localbriefs TEXANS WHO SUSTAINED PROPERTY DAMAGE as a result of recent severe storms and flooding are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as they may be eligible for federal and state disaster assistance.

The presidential disaster declaration of May 29 makes disaster aid available to eligible families, individuals and business owners in Hays, Harris and Van Zandt counties. Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Residents of those three countries who had storm damage can register

online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily……...THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION is accepting applications for disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) for workers who lost their jobs and self-employed individuals who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from the severe weather. Applications for DUA must be submitted by July 1, 2015. For more information visit www.twc.state.tx.us/ or call 800-939-6631……..

THE SBA is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to Texas businesses and residents as a result of the

severe storms. Businesses and private nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.6 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.6 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are based on each applicant’s financial condition. For information call 800-659-2955.

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JUNE 4 | 2015 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs THE NATION’S CRIME RATE has steadily decreased for 25 years, but mass incarceration has had little, if any, impact on the decline, according to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. The study, titled “What Caused the Crime Decline?” found that “when other variables are controlled for, increasing incarceration had a minimal effect on reducing property crime in the 1990s and no effect on violent crime. Some states even reduced their prison populations during the crime decline with no adverse effects. Texas, for example, has decreased its imprisonment rate by 15 to 25 percent since 2000; at the same, both property crime and violent crime have dropped about 20 to 30 percent. Growth in income and the aging population were among the factors in the crime decline that the researchers could verify……... PRESIDENT OBAMA awarded the Medal of Honor to two American soldiers, one African-American and one Jewish, whose valor during World War I had not been fully recognized. Obama awarded the medals posthumously to Sgt. William Shemin and Private Henry Johnson for gallantry. The nation failed to properly acknowledge the soldiers’ contributions because of racism and discrimination……..

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE announced that 77,795 service members will begin receiving $60 million in compensation for having been charged excess interest on their student loans by Navient Corp., the student loan servicer formerly part of Sallie Mae. The checks, which are scheduled to be mailed on June 12, will range from $10 to over $100,000, with an average of about $771. The payments are required by a settlement that the department reached last year to resolve the federal government’s first ever lawsuit filed against owners and servicers of student loans for violating the rights of service members eligible for benefits and protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

VOLUME 84 • NUMBER 27 JUNE 4, 2015

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall

Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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NAACP report finds retail industry inequality

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new report by the NAACP and the public policy organization Demos finds that retail employers pay Black and Latino full-time workers just 75 percent of the wages of their white peers.

In “The Retail Race Divide: How the Retail Industry is Perpetuating Racial Inequality in the 21st Century,” researchers analyzed retail workers’ occupations, earnings and schedules. They found that Black and Latino workers are overrepresented in positions with the lowest pay and the least stability, and more likely to be among the working poor than their white colleagues.

“Living wage employment opportunities, benefits like health care and investments into retirement, and workplace practices are the essential bedrock for all Americans to be able to work towards an adequate, dignified standard of living,” said Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, senior director of the NAACP Economic Department.

“Yet our labor market norms have consistently excluded people of color from accessing those foundations of opportunity.”

Other key findings include: • 17 percent of Black and 13 percent of Latino workers live below the poverty line, compared to 9 percent of the retail workforce overall.

• Black and Latino retail workers are underrepresented in supervisory positions like managers or first-line supervisors. Black workers make up

11 percent of the labor force, but just 6 percent of managers. Conversely, Black and Latino retail sales workers are overrepresented in cashier positions, the lowest-paid position in retail.

• More than 90 percent of Black and Latino retail workers are over 20 years old. Half provide at least 50 percent of their household’s income, and about a quarter are the sole earners in their households.

Solutions to racial inequities include improving employment conditions for all workers in the industry.

Policies that protect the rights of workers and amplify their voices on the job can address some of the worst employment practices.

Additionally, raising the federal minimum wage will provide decent living standards for retail employees and their families while reducing the racial wage divide.

FCC chair seeks to subsidize broadband access AFRO Staff

The head of the Federal Communications Commission wants to subsidize broadband Internet access for low-income Americans by expanding a program that currently helps them pay for phone service.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said it was time to bring Lifeline, a program that helps low-income Americans afford basic phone service – and, since 2008, mobile phone service – into the Internet age.

“In 2015, broadband access is essential to find a job: more than 80 percent of Fortune 500 job openings are online,” Wheeler said. “Americans need broadband to keep a job, as companies increasing

require basic digital literacy skills.

“While more than 95 percent of households with incomes over $150,000 have broadband, only 48 percent of those making less than $25,000 have service at home,” he added.

Wheeler’s plan is already under attack from some Republican lawmakers.

“It’s no great secret that the Lifeline program is full of fraud and has very few accountability standards in place to prevent abuse,” said Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana.

Wheeler’s proposal is expected to face resistance similar to his ultimately successful effort to have broadband Internet regulated as a public utility earlier this year.

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DEFENDER | JUNE 4 | 2015

Metro welcomes board members Metro announced the appointment of three new members to its board of directors – Don Elder, Sanjay Ramabhadran and Barron Wallace.

Elder, former mayor of Katy, is owner of Elder Consulting. His civic background includes serving on the Economic Development Board and Development Board for Houston Community College.

Ramabhadran is vice-president

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Deadline extended to Friday, July 10

of CP&Y. He served on the boards of Leadership Houston, Texas Lyceum and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research.

Wallace is a partner with Bracewell & Giuliani and co-chairs its public finance section. His civic affiliations include Center for Houston’s Future, American Leadership Forum and the Discovery Green-Downtown Park Corporation.

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Supt. Terry Grier Post YOUR grades online for the HISD Superintendent

Begins Thurs. May 7th - Ends Friday, July 10th

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

etro Chairman Gilbert Garcia swore in Barron Wallace and Sanjay Ramabhadran. Board M member Don Elder was sworn in earlier.

Grade the HISD Supt. and share your comments and suggestions about his performance.

BOOSTING YOUR BUSINESS.

How would you grade Supt. Grier in these areas or subjects?

• Student Academics • Student/ School Safety • Teacher Relations • Black Community Relations • Minority Contracts

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JUNE 4 | 2015 | DEFENDER

entertainment

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‘Braxton Family Values’ returns to TV

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he five Braxton sisters are back for a new season. “Braxton Family Values” recently returned to WE tv, and airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. The reality show chronicles the lives of Toni, Tamar, Traci, Trina and Towanda and their mother, Evelyn.

The show delivered 1.8 million total viewers during its recent season premiere, and continues to be one of the network’s highest-rated series. On social media, it ranked as the night’s No. 1 cable primetime reality show with four trending topics.

Toni Braxton said she and her sisters are grateful to have all of their family moments captured on film.

“We’ve shot scenes and too much information was revealed and it caused friction, but it forces us to work through it, even when we don’t want to,” she said.

Their family drama continues. Last season, after Towanda, Traci, and Trina surprised Tamar on stage during a concert, tensions were at an all-time high. Tamar decided to separate herself from all family projects, and the sisters turned their focus to their own careers and lives.

Now, Tamar is ready to re-connect with her sisters, and hopes to heal their relationship without dwelling on past grievances.

However, as the sisters begin to spend more time together again, old issues inevitably rise to the surface.

In addition, Trina revealed to Towanda that

she’s decided to file for divorce from her husband, but she’s reluctant to share the news with the rest of her sisters. As scandalous accusations are made, and a vicious battle over assets erupts, Trina is pushed to her breaking point. In the midst of it all, Evelyn learns she must have emergency surgery.

Other family members, including husbands and children, are also part of the drama.

The Braxtons’ father was a preacher, and they grew up in a strict household. They eventually formed a singing group that was signed to Arista Records, but things changed when Toni’s talent was recognized by Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and she embarked on a solo career.

Here’s a glimpse at the family members: Toni, the oldest daughter, has won six Grammy Awards and sold more than 40 million albums.” Her

hits include “Another Sad Love Song,” “Breathe Again,” “Unbreak My Heart” and “You’re Making Me High.” She starred in two Broadway shows and headlined her own show in Las Vegas. She has two sons, Denim and Diezel.

Tamar is the youngest of the Braxton children.

She starred in another reality series, “Tamar and Vince,” with her husband. She released two singles, “Love and War” and “The One.” She is a co-host on Fox TV’s “The Real” and developed a fashion line, Get Your Life. She has one son, Logan.

Towanda is the fourth child born to the Braxtons. She is a singer, dancer, actress, community activist, philanthropist and “loving wife to author Andre Carter and mother of two wonderful children Braxton and Brooke.”

Traci lives in Maryland with her husband, Kevin and son, Kevin Jr. She is an actress, writer, singer and philanthropist. She is still searching for her “rightful place” in the entertainment industry.

Trina recorded the single “Party or Go Home.” She is co-owner of the Bass Mint recording studio and founder of Soltri Entertainment. She appeared in the Tyler Perry play “Meet the Browns” and gueststarred on the sitcom “Soul Man.” She has two sons, Eric and Caleb.

Evelyn, their mother, also has a son, Michael. She “came into her own” as a pastor, her children’s singing coach and manager.

She established the organization God Can Heal the Heart.

what’sup TARAJI P. HENSON of “Empire” won the Best Actress in a Drama Series award at the Critics’ Choice TV Awards for her role as Cookie Lyon.

During her acceptance speech, she thanked Fox TV. “Thank you Fox, you’re bold, you took a shot, you took a risk,” she said. “This means I’m touching lives. That’s why I got into acting. We created such an incredible family on ‘Empire.’ There’s no Cookie without Lucious.” DAVID OYELOWO won Best Actor in a Movie or Limited Series for his role in HBO’s “Nightingale.” LORRAINE TOUSSAINT won Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for “Orange is the New Black.”

The awards show is presented annually by the Broadcast Television Critics Association........

DWAYNE “THE ROCK” JOHNSON beat the competition as the earthquake epic “San Andreas” earned an estimated $53.2 million its first weekend in theaters. Johnson will make the transition back to the small screen on June 21 at 9 p.m. when his new series “Ballers” debuts on HBO. Johnson portrays a retired football superstar trying to reinvent himself as a financial manager for current players in Miami. His co-stars include OMAR MILLER and JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON, the son of DENZEL WASHINGTON……..KANYE WEST

and KIM KARDASHIAN are expecting their second child. The reality TV star revealed her news during the midseason finale of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” The couple’s daughter, NORTH WEST, turns 2 on June 15……..Comic TRACY MORGAN recently opened up about the car crash that nearly claimed his life and resulted in the death of his friend, comic JAMES MCNAIR. Morgan settled a lawsuit against Walmart over the June 7, 2014 crash. “The case is settled, but the pain is always going to be there for Jimmy Mac,” Morgan said. “Bones heal, but the loss of my friend will never heal.”

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DEFENDER | JUNE 4 | 2015

Texas urged to help youth in system

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

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s African-Americans continue to demand reform of the criminal justice system, advocates for youth are calling for reform of the juvenile justice system as well.

Each year in Texas, an estimated 100,000 juveniles are arrested or referred to the juvenile probation system. While youth of color comprise 66 percent of the total youth population in Texas, they make up about 80 percent of the youth committed to state facilities.

According to the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC), the state has made significant strides in dealing with youth in trouble with the law. More must be done, however, to give youth the necessary tools to live safe and productive lives.

“Youth who are impacted by Texas’ juvenile justice system are some of our state’s most in-need youth,” said Jennifer Carreon, policy researcher at TCJC. Factors that are prevalent include race, poverty and a lack of financial resources to navigate the system.

“It is our responsibility, as a community and as adults, to ensure that every child’s growth and development is positive,” Carreon said. “When youth engage in delinquency, it is because somewhere along their

developmental path, we have failed them.”

Carreon said “millions upon billions” of Texas dollars are dedicated to ensuring positive youth development.

“Unfortunately, these funds are not always tied to best practices…

Juvenile justice reform, as with education, mental health, health, and family services reform, is important because it is ensuring that only best practices, programming, and services are being used. By reforming these systems, we are ultimately strengthening the chances of success for our state’s youth.”

Carreon addressed the fact that a disproportionate number of Black and Hispanic youth are in the system.

“It is difficult to ignore that the vast majority of youth impacted by our state’s juvenile justice system are youth of color,” she said. “There are, as you can imagine, a myriad of explanations as to why this is occurring, some of which are quite controversial. However, if you look past the minority factor, you will see a greater disparate impact that goes beyond just color, and that factor is poverty.

“Navigating the system is much easier for those who have money,” Carreon said. “Obtaining representation, being able to pay therapeutic interventions to help curb delinquent behavior, and the ability to pay fees associated with the courts and the system overall

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JUVENILE JUSTI

is difficult for those who are struggling to make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads.

“The fact that the majority of families who are impoverished are minority is again difficult to ignore and is a problem of a much greater issue more commonly known as institutional discrimination.”

TCJC, which is headquartered in Austin, works to advance solutions that transform the adult and youth justice systems to strengthen families and foster safer communities. The coalition recently released a policy paper designed to help policy-makers focus on capitalizing on the recent progress the state has made in juvenile justice reform.

In “Unfinished Business: Deepening

the Gains in Texas Juvenile Justice Reform,” TCJC highlights a recent Council of State Governments Justice Center analysis on reforms to Texas’ juvenile justice system, which showed that placing youth in their communities produces better outcomes than confining youth in state-run facilities.

“Since policy-makers enacted these reforms, taxpayers have saved money, and young people placed in their home communities were less likely to be arrested than youth placed in state-run facilities,” the report said. “Juvenile crime in Texas has also fallen.”

Statistics from TCJC show that: • The vast majority of youth enter Texas’ adult system due to their age

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Coalition offers solutions The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has made the following recommendations to policy-makers to better serve justice system-involved youth, and build on improving outcomes seen in the juvenile justice system.

Focus on and expand prevention efforts to address the needs of youth by increasing coordination between systems that serve youth and families, such as child protective services, mental health services, and the education system.

Remove youth from the adult criminal justice system. Any youth in Texas arrested at age 17 is automatically excluded from the rehabilitative juvenile justice system. Too many young people are ending up in adult jails and adult prison. Texas should raise the age to bring 17-year-olds into the juvenile system.

Limit the number of youth in local juvenile corrections facilities. Research shows that young people face a series of negative outcomes when they are needlessly confined. They are more likely to leave delinquency behind them and succeed when they are at home and receiving an appropriate level of supervision and services.

Increase oversight of local juvenile corrections facilities to provide more protection for youth. This expanded role would involve conducting unannounced facility visits, performing audits required under the Prison Rape Elimination Act, and investigating reports of abuse and neglect from youth, their families, and staff.

Measure success based upon a broader set of positive outcomes for youth.

The current system is too focused on recidivism (the relapse into criminal behavior) as a measure of the juvenile justice system’s “success.” Juvenile departments nationwide

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ICE REFORM rather than the seriousness of their offense. In Texas, 96 percent of 17-yearolds are arrested for nonviolent and misdemeanor offenses. Yet they are automatically placed in the adult criminal justice system.

• Texas taxpayers spend $159,545 to incarcerate a young person in a state-run juvenile facility, but it can cost much less (as low as $5,299 per year) to serve a young person on probation.

• Texas is one of nine states where any 17-year-old who is arrested enters the adult system. In 41 other states and the District of Columbia, a young person is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system until the age of 18.

• The adult criminal justice system

struggles to comply with federal law requiring adult corrections facilities to keep young people safe through the “sight and sound” separation of incarcerated youth and adults.

What can the community do to promote juvenile justice reform?

“Speak out, become involved, and stand strong,” Carreon said. “Every day, decisions are being made in various arenas that directly impact minority communities, though it is rare to see minority representation when those decisions are being made. Every community must be dedicated to educating themselves on issues that impact them.”

For more information visit www. texascjc.org.

he Houston area for over 80 years

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are working to track positive outcomes for youth, such as employment, skills training, educational achievements, and the completion of community restitution.

Increase the use of (and reliance upon) effective risk and needs assessments to inform decision-making throughout the juvenile justice system. Evidence suggests that some youth with higher needs in Texas do not receive the necessary levels of supervision, services, and programming to succeed. On the other hand, some low-risk, low-needs youth are overly supervised with inappropriate levels of intensive services.

Increase the capacity and support provided to local juvenile probation departments so they can succeed in their mission. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) faces challenges providing sufficient levels of technical assistance, training, research, and coordination to its 166 local juvenile probation departments.

Implement a strong statewide strategy to reduce racial and ethnic disparities. TJJD and its local juvenile probation departments should encourage the development of culturally competent services and approaches for young people of color, and change laws, policies, and practices that are known to have a disproportionate minority impact.

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Legislation promotes reform Juvenile justice reform advocates are applauding policies that were passed by the Texas Legislature and have been sent to the governor’s desk to be signed. They include: Senate Bill 1630 represents a fundamental shift in how young people would be served by the justice system by creating a regionalization plan for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). The plan would allow youth to be kept closer to their home communities in lieu of commitment to distant state-secure facilities.

House Bill 2398 will end the criminalization of truancy, protecting thousands of Texas children from receiving hefty fines and criminal convictions for being absent from school. Advocates say it will also help stop funneling children into the school-toprison pipeline.

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DEFENDER | JUNE 4 | 2015

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TSU receives $900,000 grant The Department of Social Work at Texas Southern University received a $900,000, three-year research grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Through a partnership with SHAPE Community Center, the grant will help gauge the attitudes and behaviors of 18 to 24-year-old men and women from Third Ward toward substance abuse, HIV and hepatitis C. TSU will also offer free testing and educational programs to university students and non-students.

Dr. Grace Loudd, a visiting professor in the Department of Social Work, said she wants to “change the narrative around sex,” and wants

HISD offers free summer meals HISD is opening more than 200 school cafeterias this summer to provide free breakfast and lunch to children in the community.

The Summer Meals Program, offered every year

by HISD’s Nutrition Services Department, is designed to ensure all students have access to healthy meals even when school isn’t in session. The program runs through July 17.

Through the program, children ages 1 to 18 will be able to eat two meals a day for free. No registration or proof of income is required. Children do not need to be enrolled in summer school nor do they need to attend HISD schools to participate. Anyone over the age of 18 can purchase breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.25.

Last summer, HISD served more than 1.7 million free meals to Houston-area children. This year, the district is hoping to expand its reach through partnerships with the Houston Food Bank and the Texas Hunger Initiative.

To find a summer meals location near you visit www. houstonisd.org/ summermeals.

people – especially people of color – to openly discuss and address issues that are considered taboo. This led her to write the grant proposal that culminated in funding.

A major component of the grant is to develop partnerships with community-based organizations to implement educational and prevention programs on campus and in the surrounding community that will lead to safer-sex attitudes and practices.

Loudd and Dr. Needha BoutteQueen, chair of the TSU Department of Social Work, will oversee all elements of program design and implementation, and monitor the efficiency of the research design and data collection.

classified COMPETITIVE SEALED BID (CSB) Project # 15-04-07

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) will receive lump sum bids, including all forms, schedules, and statements from Contractors until 2:00PM Wednesday July 1, 2015 at Board Services Office, 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 for the Lyons Elementary SPARK Park. The scope of work includes, but is not limited to, resurfacing an existing decomposing granite trail with concrete, adding a concrete pad for a picnic table, adding new play equipment, adding a new fence and grading soccer field.

Pre-bid Conference Attendance is MANDATORY. The Pre-Bid Conference will be held Wednesday, June 10 2015 at 10:30AM at Lyons Elementary, 800 Roxella St. Houston, Texas 77076.

Bid documents will be available on Monday June 1, 2015 on the procurement opportunities page of the HISD website at: http://www.houstonisd.org/page/68148. For additional information contact Raymond Hooks at rhooks@houstonisd.org.

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JUNE 4 | 2015 | DEFENDER

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Principal D ameion Cro valedictori o an Kevin V k presented illalta with diploma. the first Eighteen seniors were the first to graduate from the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men.

Leland Prep celebrates inaugural graduation The Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men recently celebrated its first graduating class. The ceremony was held at Kingdom Builders Center and 18 seniors received their diplomas.

The grade 6-12 school was one of two single-sex academies started in 2011 with the enrollment of sixth and ninth-graders (the other is the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy).

Four years later, those former ninth-graders are now graduating.

Leland College Prep Principal Dameion Crook insisted that the entire student body attend the ceremony so that the younger students could bear witness to the monumentality of the moment.

“It’s an incredible day, one that I think we’ll all remember,” Crook said. “The 18 seniors who are graduating have looked forward to this day, as have I and everyone else in our school community.”

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All of the seniors were excited to graduate, especially since the school challenges its students with rigorous academics and advanced placement classes. Every member of the senior class plans to attend college in the fall, and the students are proud of the accomplishment.

“We’re honored,” said senior Michael Suber. “We’re setting the standard and getting to pave the way for our brothers.”

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The forum will provide a brief overview of the TLC’s HUB program, procurement processes, and Mentor Protégé initiatives. The highlight of this event will be roundtable networking sessions with Lottery Commission staff and a number of our key contractor representatives. Roundtable assignments will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis on the day of the forum.

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DEFENDER | JUNE 4 | 2015

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HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ coming to Houston

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By MAX EDISON Defender

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase our team...there are a lot of people around the country who aren’t familiar with us.”

- Bob McNair

BO and NFL Films recently announced that the Houston Texans will be the subject for this season’s “Hard Knocks.” The 2015 season marks the 10th year for the award-winning footballbased reality show.

The Houston version will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

The one-hour episodes will run for five consecutive weeks.

A 30-person NFL Films crew will be at the Texans’ training camp at team headquarters in Houston, shooting more than 1,500 hours of footage over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will have unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, living quarters and practice fields.

J.J. Watt “We are thrilled that the 10th edition of “Hard Knocks” will spotlight a team in a division that we have not featured previously on HBO,” said Ken Hershman, president of HBO success of “Hard Knocks” has included developing storylines Sports. “It’s exciting to feature a team, a franchise and a city about lesser known players trying to fulfill their life-long for the first time. dream of making an NFL roster. NFL films director Matt “We are grateful to Texans chairman Bob McNair, Dissinger develops those angles. general manager Rick Smith, coach Bill O’Brien and the “We’ve learned to go in without preconceived notions,” entire organization for agreeing to participate and look Dissinger said. “We’ll come up with 25 or so storylines going forward to what we expect to be one of the most compelling into camp…We’ll certainly be following everyone. We’ll be and interesting seasons in ‘Hard Knocks’ history.” here on the ground researching as well. Once we get to camp, McNair believes the national exposure will be great for we sort of let those storylines play out or not play out. The his franchise. best part of the show are often the storylines that come “We’re delighted that NFL Films and HBO are going out of nowhere and that we couldn’t have seen to be with us for training camp,” McNair said. “It’s a great coming.” opportunity to showcase our team. We in Houston know our The main participants in the sports reality team. We know our players. We know our coaches. We love show are the players themselves. They will them. We support them. have their workspace invaded by cameras and “We have great fun with it, but there are a lot of people microphones. Although the experience will be around the country who aren’t familiar with us. So, this is an different most believe it won’t deter them from opportunity for them to get to know what a great team and the mission at hand. great organization we have,” McNair said.

“I think it will be a great opportunity for us, Training camp is all about preparation for the 2015 but it will be business as usual,” said Pro Bowl season. GM Smith is confident that the show’s presence won’t tackle Duane Brown. “We have big expectations become a distraction for his team. for each other this season so America will “We’re very comfortable,” Smith said. “We trust [NFL just get a chance to see what goes on. We’re Films and HBO] implicitly to handle our preparation. You go all professionals here first and foremost and to training camp for two primary reasons: to get your football we know what’s important and that’s to win. team ready for the season and to figure out who the best 53 We’ll just try to ignore the cameras as much as men are to accomplish your goals. possible.”

“We feel that by no stretch of the imagination is this Receiver Nate Washington, a free agent going to prevent us from doing that. It’s a great partnership. acquisition and two-time Super Bowl champion There is a part of the editing process that we are a part of. We as a Pittsburgh Steeler, is used to the extra attention. trust them to make sure that we’re well represented.”

“I don’t have any real emotions toward it,” With Defensive Player Washington said. “It will be of the Year J.J. Watt and another work day; there will multi-Pro Bowl running back just be cameras around. We’ll Arian Foster, the Texans come into work as we usually LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry in feature two well-known do and the rest of the world NBA finals sports celebrities. The will see how we operate.”

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Arian Foster

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JUNE 4 | 2015 DEFENDER

h.s.zone

sportsbriefs

Clear Creek’s Equivel aces dress rehearsal

I

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

defendernetwork.com Katy tops Brazoswood in state

t was similar to a dress rehearsal for the high school softball prom. Clear Creek High School senior right-hander Zach Equivel was named the starting pitcher in hitless through four innings by Lobos’ starter game one of the Wildcats’ best-of-three Region Ryan Finke.

III-6A semifinal series against Langham Creek.

Ben Rigby delivered a two-RBI single In addition, the series was scheduled to be in the bottom of the fifth that gave the played at Reckling Park on the campus of Rice Wildcats the lead for good. For insurance, University where Equivel will be attending Clear Creek added a single tally in the classes and beginning his collegiate baseball bottom of the sixth inning when pinch career later this fall. runner Adrian Gonzalez stole second base “I was pretty excited coming out here. I and came around to score on a Nick Reny’s have to admit, I was pretty pumped,” RBI double. said Equivel, a Clear Creek honor “Two-out hitting was the key student. “We had to look at it as tonight,” Kunefke said. “Rigby came just another venue though and through for us and so did Reny. play the ball like we would It’s a good thing too because we anywhere else. didn’t bunt at all tonight.”

“So far this year I’ve Meanwhile, Equivel was pitched the first game of turning damage control and every playoff series,” navigating traffic on the base Equivel said. “So I was paths into an art form. pretty sure that I was going “Coach told us from to pitch this game. I come the very beginning that they out in any start I have and give (Langham Creek) are a very fast it my all.” team and like to steal bases,” Equivel went the distance Equivel said. “They’ll even steal (seven innings) as the Wildcats third base and not many teams do rallied from a 1-0 deficit to defeat that.

Langham Creek 3-1 and improve “So I had to do a number of its season record to 27-10. different things like change my sets, “Zach was able to scatter nine take my time and make sure I check my hits and when they hit the ball hard, runners,” Equivel said. “I had to we were able to catch it,” said Clear change the time of my holds quite a Creek head coach Brent Kunefke. bit and it helped.”

“It was a little sloppy at times, but a It also helped to have win is a win.” command of a fastball and Adding to the suspense was curveball he could spot at will Birth date – Feb. 21, 1997 three Clear Creek miscues when while throwing just under 100 Birth sign – Pisces Langham Creek didn’t hit the ball pitches.

Favorite subject– Math hard. “There were a few errors but “I usually mix in a slider and How he relaxes – Hang out with it was nothing too big,” Equivel changeup as well but tonight the friends and watch movies said. “The guys told me they were fastball and curveball were a good Favorite pro pitcher – Texas going to pick me up the next time combination for me,” Equivel said.

Rangers and Houston Astros right- “I’ve been known to throw a lot of and I had faith in them. When I hander Anthony Bass. (“He came gave them another ground ball, they pitches in most of my games so I’m to Clear Creek once and played made the plays.” used to it.” catch with me. I love his respect As Equivel and the Clear Creek Clear Creek defeated Langham for the game.”) defense gained momentum through Creek 9-1 in game two to advance the middle innings, the Wildcats’ to the regional final against World problem he would solve – offense came alive after being held Cypress Ranch.

Hunger

Facts about Zach Equivel

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Tomball teams compete Tannon Symm delivered a clutch two-run triple in the bottom of the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie and help Tomball Memorial seal a 3-1 victory in game three of a best-of-three baseball regional semifinal series and advance to the Region III-5A final against district rival Tomball.

Kingwood Park won the first game of the series 5-0. Tomball Memorial retaliated with a 4-1 win. In game three, Symm turned around an outside fastball and barreled it to deep centerfield to score teammates Trey Bills and Brylan Elmore. “I was feeling good at the plate and I had a rhythm,” Symm said. “My approach at the plate is to look for your one pitch. That happened to be my pitch.” Tomball swept Crosby (2-0, 4-1) in the other best-of-three Class 5A Region III semifinal series. Other Houston area schools still alive in the state baseball playoffs include Conroe Oak Ridge (6A); Huffman Hargrave (4A) and El Campo (4A).

Area schools thrive The Woodlands will join Katy as Houston area schools that will compete in the Class 6A state softball tournament in Austin. Facing Lake Travis in the Region II-6A final, The Woodlands triumphed 7-0, 5-4 to sweep the best-two-of-three series. In the Class 5A Region III final, Ridge Point outlasted Santa Fe 7-2 in the third and deciding game. Ridge Point won game one 8-4 while Santa Fe evened the series 5-3 in game two. Other Houston area schools advancing to the state softball tournament include Huffman Hargrave, Needville and East Bernard.

Altuve leads voting It’s early in the process, but Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is leading all American League second basemen in All-Star voting. Altuve is aiming to become just the seventh player (10th overall) in Astros history to earn a fan-elected start, and the first to do so since Houston moved to the AL for the 2013 season. Altuve, 25, is batting .299 on the season with five home runs, nine doubles, 25 RBI, 23 runs scored and 14 stolen bases, which is tied for the most in the AL. The 2015 All-Star Game will be played at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, July 14.

Pelicans hire Gentry The New Orleans Pelicans recently named Alvin Gentry as the team’s head coach. He currently serves as associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors, and will begin his duties with the Pelicans following the NBA Finals. Gentry previously served as head coach of the Miami Heat (1994-95), Detroit Pistons (1997-2000), Los Angeles Clippers (2000-03) and Phoenix Suns (2008-13). “I’m truly honored for the opportunity to lead the Pelicans as their head coach and am anxious to get started,” Gentry said. “We are thrilled to have Alvin join our organization,” said Pelicans owner Tom Benson.

“He has proven himself as a winner and is in the midst of helping the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. We look forward to having him lead our team.” Gentry succeeds Monty Williams, who led the Pelicans to a playoff berth this season.

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DEFENDER | JUNE 4 | 2015

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

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YWCA OUTSTANDING WOMEN’S LUNCHEON……..The YWCA of Houston and affordable options for the Black community. Some of those in attendance were held its 29th Annual Outstanding Women’s Luncheon, “Inching Our Way Toward New John Guess, Judson Robinson III, Kwame Brown, Marcia Johnson, Carol Guess, Heights,” which honored local women who inspire others to reach new heights of success.

Martha Bravo, Robert Collier, Patricia Williams, Jennifer McAtee, Lynden Rose, A silent auction and video presentation was viewed at the event. Proceeds will benefit Darryl Bowles, Gerald Womack, Sandra Smith and Vernita Harris. Members of the the YWCA’s Women Independently Living and Developing (W.I.L.D.) program, a Kelsey-Seybold team included Matt Horn, David Miller, Troy Tucker, Paula Smith, residential program for young women who have aged out of foster Thelma Woodard and Jacqueline Preston……..GOOD GANG/BOY care; Empowerment Zone, a week-long camp for girls ages 12Defender TOP EVENTS SCOUTS CELEBRATION……..Bishop James W.E. Dixon II of 18; and Senior Services, which provides meals and activities for the Community of Faith Church in partnership with the Boys Scouts More photos on defendernetwork.com seniors. Honorees included Dr. Wanda Mott, Lily Jang, Elizabeth of America showcased the new Good Gang Muddy Lions Troop 491 See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Campbell, Simone Biles, Latha Thomas, Loretta Cross, Juliet Family Initiative in movie night format. It’s an initiative designed to Stipeche, Audrey Gilbreath, Beth Young, and the Dorothy Height reach and empower minority youth through strategic programs and Legacy Award winner, Jacqueline Bostic. Dominique Sachse emceed the event…….. positive experiences. The celebration honored families with children who see education, The DEFENDER & KELSEY-SEYBOLD BUSINESS LUNCHEON……..Kelseyobey the law, avoid violence, respect others, and strive to be positive citizens and role Seybold Clinics sponsored a luncheon focused on “Controlling Healthcare Cost for models. Celebrity encouragers and supporters included Pastor E.A. Deckard, Donnell Employers.” Defender Publisher Sonny Messiah Jiles served as MC while Dr. Victor Cooper, Ricky Anderson, Rodney Parks, Holli Williams, Satarro Purnell, Daisy Simms, Dr. Eric Peterson and Ann Cook from Kelsey-Seybold provided guests with Johnson, Arlene Dimmer, Parker Reed, Vanessa Reed, Tammy Lang-Campbell and vital information on how to manage healthcare and stressed the importance of access “Funky” Larry Jones. Congrats!

Melodie Wade and Pat Wade Sims

Rudyne Walker, Stelena Hopper Evans, Jaqueline Bostic and Flora Moragne

Ann Cook, Dr. Eric Peterson and Jacqueline Preston

Pastor E.A. Deckard, Bishop James Dixon and Donnell Cooper

Dr. Victor Simms and Robert Collier

Holli Williams, Satarro Purnell, Daisy Johnson and Arlene Dimmer

Allison Booker-Brooks and Dominique Sachse

Matt Horn and David Miller

Parker Reed and Vanessa Reed

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