Houston Defender: June 9, 2022

NEWS

INFOCUS

AL GREEN

EMANCIPATION PARK 150

The Congressman is speaking out on gun violence and legislative priorities.

Volume 91, issue 30 June 9, 2022

In honor of Juneteenth 2022, the historical park is going all out to celebrate 150 years.

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DN To The Point

Speakers, including Kandice Webber of Black Lives Matter, at the May 27, 2022 NRA Convention protest at Discovery Green. Photo by Aswad Walker.

Message from the Associate Editor with a No. 1 song eventually go broke. They So, Texas, the state that brags most about chose to conduct their business in a way that gun ownership, gun rights and gun freeprotects and honors artists. But so many in doms; the state that worships guns more the biz don’t. So, as you’re jamming to your religiously than Jesus; the state where gun favorites this month, just remember, they’re owners would sooner slap their mamas in a paycheck-to-paycheck existence like than submit to any kind of gun bans under many of us. And we all deserve better. any circumstances, apparently did a huge Texas Two-Step. Or should we call it a Texas Mo’Nique, D.L. Hughley & Brittney Two-Face, as in hypocrisy on fleek, or on So, as I know you’ve heard, comedians jam, or on fuego (or whatever the young Mo’Nique and D.L. Hughley have been whipper-snappers say these days). beefing over their recent show in Detroit, Aswad Walker Turns out, when the NRA was in town and…Brittney Griner is still a prisoner in for their convention, refusing any kind of gun reform or a Russian jail! While these Negroes are beefing over some regulations or bans, even in the face of the Buffalo massacre dumb “stuff,” Griner has been jailed in a hostile, foreign and the Uvalde tragedy, these folks walked into the George nation for over 100 days. I’m glad Congresswoman Sheila R. Brown Convention Center with zero guns. That’s right. Jackson Lee and others organized a rally on behalf of BritThe NRA, in Texas no less, banned individuals carrying tney, but we can’t rest until she’s home. firearms from the premises during their conference in order to ensure the safety of twice-impeached former president Before I go... Juneteenth Watermelon Salad and GOP white nationalist “messiah” Donald Trump. Think So, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum went full about that one for a moment.

Walmart and tried selling Juneteenth Watermelon Salad.

They, like Walmart a few weeks ago, have been catching Black Music Month hell for this poor business decision, trying to commercialize June is Black Music Month (as well as Headache & Juneteenth (although, we knew it was coming). But someMigraine Awareness Month, Iced Tea Month, Soul Food thing to think about: Before racists made watermelon a Month, PTSD Awareness Month, and Give a Bunch of Bal- symbol of supposed Black laziness, many of our formerly loons Month, just to name a few). But focusing on Black enslaved ancestors saw watermelon as a symbol of self-deMusic, I just learned that Chance the Rapper played a major termination. It was a crop they readily grew and a product role in helping Anita Baker gain ownership of her masters — they easily sold, allowing them some semblance of finanthe music reels by which all future recordings (and money) cial freedom. So, this Juneteenth, let’s take watermelon (and are made. Turns out, Electra Records, which was supposed everything else they stole from us) back! to relinquish ownership of Baker’s masters once her contract ran out, simply refused to do so. So, for years this sister was ON THE WEB battling this company that was clearly in the wrong, to get • See the amazing video of the Canvas Live! art competition. what was rightfully hers.

• Check the Defender’s Black Women, Under 40 & Hearing her story reminded me of what Bell-Biv-Devoe Community Central channels. said years ago: that they got into producing (the business • Peep the pics from award-winning photographer side of show business) after they found out 95% of artists Jimmie Aggison in “Jimmie’s Journey Around Town.”

NRA Texas ‘Two-Face’

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DN News Houston demands, “Bring Brittney home” during rally

By Terrence Harris

Detained basketball star and Nimitz High School product Brittney Griner has always represented Houston well, whether it be at Baylor, with WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury or on the global stage as a two-time Olympic gold medalist for her country.

The city of Houston recently returned the favor by representing Griner -- known simply as BG -- and making sure her plight isn’t forgotten as she sits in a Russian jail in Moscow for now over 100 days. The WNBA star, who plays in Russia during the offseason, has been detained since February after vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil were allegedly found in Griner’s luggage at Russian airport near Moscow as she attempted to return home to the U.S. Griner could be facing as many as 10 years in prison in Russia, although she has yet to receive a hearing on her case. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Russia are at odds over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has many feeling as though Griner is a political pawn in Vladimir Putin’s spat with the U.S. The U.S. Justice Department and President Joe Biden have declared Griner wrongfully detained.

So the demonstration outside of Toyota Center, organized by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, was part rally, part prayer vigil and part concert to show support for Griner and to demand, “Bring Brittney home.”

“We are here to say that hearing that’s designated for June, is what we want is

Mayor Sylvester Turner addresses attendees of the June 6, 2022 rally held in front of the Toyota Center, with words that echo the sentiment of everyone present: “Bring Brittney Home.”

Photo by Jimmie Aggison.

SEE VIDEO OF THE DOWNTOWN PROTEST.

Brittney Griner home …” Jackson Lee said from the podium. “What we know is she is a hostage that needs to be released right now.”

Chants of “Bring Brittney home! Bring Brittney home,” could then be heard.

Jackson Lee used her influence to bring in dignitaries like Commissioner Rodney Ellis, State Representative Ron Reynolds along with recently released Russian captive Trevor Reed. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was attending a conference for

mayors in Nevada when he received the call from Jackson Lee this week about the rally.

Turner left the conference early and jumped on a red-eye flight so that he could be in attendance.

“Let me just say to the leaders of the country that is holding her, let her go,” said Turner, who declared June 6, 2022 as Brittney Griner Day in Houston. “Set her free and not on a political note but because she represents what this city is all about.

Her family is here. This is someone who

has literally given everything to this city, to this state and to this country.”

Bishop James Dixon delivered the most impassioned speech as he joined the “Bring Brittney home” chorus. He encouraged the larger community to get behind freeing Griner.

“It should not be a few us, it should be all Americans saying, ‘Let’s stand for justice and let’s call for action,’” Dixon said.

“Putin, Russia, release this young lady. She has no reason to be there in your jail.”

Congressman Al Green discusses gun violence prevention, legislative priorities

By ReShonda Tate

Congressman Al Green is joining the chorus of lawmakers calling for action in the ongoing gun violence crisis.

“We cannot continue to ignore the ongoing gun violence crisis in the United States. It is ravaging our country causing unimaginable grief to countless families,” the Congressman said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020 Texas had the most firearm-related deaths of all 50 states at 4,146 deaths. Green said that’s a horrific statistic that the country must do something about.

“It needs to stop now,” he said.

“It is not enough for elected officials to take a stand,” Green said.

“Members of federal and state legislatures need influential people of goodwill across the country to take a public stand as well. Influentials with the power to shape public opinion, such as chambers of commerce, need to make clear where they stand to politicians to help shape political opinion. It is our collective responsibility to embrace solutions which help to save lives. This is about more than politics, it is about the life and death of our children. Influentials of goodwill need to take a public stand against do-nothing politics.”

Green’s legislative priorities

Congressman Al Green speaking at a recent news conference about gun violence and legislative priorities.

• Requiring a waiting period prior to the purchase of a weapon with some exceptions.

• The banning of bump stocks.

• The repeal of special immunity from liability laws enjoyed by the gun industry.

• Requiring licensing before the purchase of a firearm with training to include anger management and dispute resolution, as well as safe storage methods.

• The funding of a national summer youth job program with a dispute resolution and anger management component.

• Fully funding gun violence prevention research through the CDC. • Closing the “gun show loophole” which allows a person to purchase a weapon from an unlicensed seller at a gun show without a background check.

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DN News $3M settlement reached over Black man’s death Associated Press

WH disputes ‘Blaxit’ mass exodus of Blacks NNPA

Despite a recent report alleging an exodus of Black staff members, the Biden-Harris administration remains the most diverse in history.

High-level African American staffers refuted a Politico story about a so-called “Blaxit” at the White House.

The widely shared story claimed at least 21 Black staffers have left the White House since late last year or are planning to leave soon. Politico said some who remain described a work environment with little support from their superiors and fewer chances for promotion. However, African American officials told the Black Press that the report amounts to “fake news.”

“Even though far more current and former staff told Politico about their positive experiences, Politico refused to communicate those findings to readers and instead devoted most of this article to comments that reinforce their narrative and present a disingenuous picture of the most diverse White House in history,” said Erica Loewe, the White House director of African American Media.

“Instead of including their on-the-record sentiments, Politico singled out Black staff who left at a normal time for general turnover and then intentionally kept their own

WHITE HOUSE POLITICAL APOINTEES

44%

Senior staff: Identify as racially and ethnically diverse

57% 40% Female

Identify as racially and ethnically diverse

14% 15% Black

Black staff have received senior level promotions

perspectives about their stories in the dark,” Loewe asserted.

Trey Baker, the White House senior advisor for Public Engagement, also refuted the notion of a “Blaxit.”

“Every day, this administration works to ensure that it meets the President’s goals on day one: to approach every issue with an eye

towards equity,” Baker said. “That includes both policy and personnel.

I’ve seen firsthand the opportunities for growth and advancement at the White House. I know that there’s not only an open line of communication with senior staff, but also ongoing efforts to be solutions-oriented.”

Rykia Dorsey-Craig, a former communications director for Democratic California Congresswoman Maxine Waters and current White House senior regional communications director, called it an honor to work for the administration. She praised the Biden-Harris administration’s record on diversity.

“Every day that I walk through those gates, I am aware of what an honor and privilege it is to serve in a White House that prioritizes equity and staff advancement,” Dorsey-Craig said. “I was promoted within my first year and now manage the Regional Comms Team, one of the most integral parts of our comms operation.

My leadership and ideas are clearly welcomed and recognized by senior leadership, and I remain committed to this team and our work each day.”

According to a Fact Sheet, the overall diversity of White House staff remains approximately the same as it was almost a year ago.

A North Carolina sheriff ’s office announced a $3 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by the family of an unarmed Black man who was shot and killed in his car by sheriff ’s deputies more than a year ago.

The family of Andrew Brown Jr. had filed a $30 million civil rights lawsuit in 2021, saying the man died because officers showed “intentional and reckless disregard of his life.”

Brown was killed on April 21 after deputies were serving drug-related warrants at his Elizabeth City home. Several deputies surrounded Brown in his BMW before his car backed up and moved forward. They fired several shots at and into his vehicle. He was killed by a bullet to the back of his head.

District Attorney Andrew Womble had said at a news conference last year that Brown used his car as a “deadly weapon,” causing deputies to believe it was necessary to use deadly force. But lawyers for the Brown family said the shooting was unjustified because Brown was trying to drive away — not toward the deputies and that he posed no threat. After viewing body camera footage of the shooting, they said Brown was sitting in his stationary car with his hands on the wheel when the first of numerous shots was fired.

Brown’s children will share in the proceeds of the settlement as heirs of his estate, the sheriff ’s office said.

“Andrew Brown Jr. was a devoted father who wanted his children to have the things he didn’t,” said a statement from the five attorneys representing his family. “While no settlement could ever fill the hole his death left in their hearts, this agreement is about providing for those children’s futures, securing their education and ensuring their dreams didn’t die with their father.”

Rev. Al Sharpton

VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 30 - JUNE 9, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Administrative Asst.

Stacey Palmer

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright.

No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288

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DN News

Shonda Muhammad and Deloyd Parker, director of SHAPE. Photo by Aswad Walker.

SHAPE upgrades kitchen, computers thanks to Commissioner Rodney Ellis

By Aswad Walker

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis joined SHAPE Community Center officials in celebrating the completion of kitchen upgrades made possible by a $94,368 county grant Ellis secured for the Third Ward facility.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on existing inequalities

in our communities, including access to healthy, affordable food,” said Ellis. “I’m pleased that we can assist SHAPE to continue its more than half century mission of feeding children and adults, especially during this time when food prices are skyrocketing due to the nation’s highest inflation in four decades.”

“The improvements coincide

with SHAPE’s 53rd Founders’ Day that will be celebrated this week as the community center moves forward with programs and services that continue to make a substantial contribution to the economic impact of the Third Ward community,” said Shondra Muhammad, SHAPE’s deputy executive director.

The grant, approved by Commissioners Court in February, also allowed SHAPE to purchase and install 15 laptop and 15 desktop computers in its Marcos Mazula Technology Center, which is named after longtime SHAPE volunteer and children’s educational advocate who started the center’s first technology program.

“SHAPE is truly grateful for the service opportunities that this grant funding brings to Third Ward,” Muhammad said. “Additionally, the computer lab upgrades allow us to increase the enrollment of children into our new CAD (computer-aided design) and Robotics programs, which provide sustainable models, increasing the children’s higher education and career path opportunities.”

NEW POLICE CHIEF NAMED AT KLEIN ISD according to a letter to the Texas Marlon Runnels has been School Safety Center. Abbott sworn in as the new police chief instructed the TxSSC to ensure all for Klein ISD. school districts’ School Safety and Runnels has more than 10 years Security Committees meet ahead of experience with the disof the new school year to trict, is a native Housreview their Emergency tonian and served Operations Plan and our country as a coraddress any campus poral for the United safety needs.

States Marine Corps Chief Runnels said Reserve, and experithat is something he enced combat in Iraq. supports.

“It’s an honor that Marlon Runnels “Anytime you can our community and our leader- look at a situation as tragic and ship team has entrusted me with unfortunate as the Uvalde situthis responsibility and it’s one ation and try to do a review of I don’t take lightly,” said Chief whatever processes you have in Runnels. place, that’s a good thing. You Runnels said that he wants par- can always find areas to improve,” ents to know that school safety is Runnels said. and will remain a top priority.

Runnels said that there would School security and edu- not be any specific changes in cation officials in Texas have safety protocols following the been instructed by Gov. Greg shooting at Uvalde, adding that Abbott to review safety proto- the district can conduct reviews col district-by-district, following to see if adjustments should the mass shooting in Uvalde, be made.

Defender News Service

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DN Profile MEET

Mark Allen Felton MUSICIAN, PRODUCER

By Laura Onyeneho

Mark Allen Felton, multi-talented saxophonist known for his smooth jazz and gospel sound, was among a major list of legendary artists to perform for the 15th anniversary of the Jazz in the Garden Music Festival in Miami in March.

The popular jazz and R&B music festival included Mary J. Blige, H.E.R., Rick Ross, the Isley Brothers, SWV, the Roots with special guest T-Pain, and many more.

Though Felton is a Chicago native, he spent much of his early years developing his craft as a student at Texas Southern University and received numerous awards for his musical excellence.

His discography extends more than 25 years and he has worked with such notable artists as Patti LaBelle, Janelle Monáe, Kenny G, Chaka Khan, Lalah Hathaway and the late Billy Preston.

Felton spoke to the Defender about his musical journey, his ties to Houston and the city’s influence on his style.

Defender: You are a Chicago Native but you have ties to Houston. Tell us more about that.

Felton: I went to [TSU] back in the day. I

had a music scholarship coming out of Chicago [in the ‘80s]. I spent about five years in Houston. I unfortunately didn’t finish because I left to chase my dreams in Los Angeles, but I’ve always wanted to come back and finish. I learned so much. It gave me an opportunity to meet a lot of great musicians and I had amazing instructors at TSU and it really shaped me as a young man. It gave me a lot of values that I still use today.

Defender: Houston has such a diverse culture and musical sound. Has living here influenced the style of music you play?

Felton: In some ways, definitely. We have

some great saxophone players that come from Houston. I remember having a mentor like Conrad Johnson who gave me the opportunity to be in his big band when I was in college. I was a part of this organization called The People’s Workshop [formed in 1976 at TSU as a place for students to compose and perform, free from

SOCIAL MEDIA

Website: www.markallenfelton.com Instagram: @Iloegoodsax Facebook: Mark Allen Felton

the constrains of Western classical music education] and so many great musicians came out of that. It helped with my growth as an artist.

Defender: You are an independent music professional. Was that an intentional decision? How has your journey in the music business been for you?

In many cases you’re kind of forced to do a lot of things as a musician, especially in today’s times. I’ve been blessed to be around good people who have helped me shape my career. I’ve taken a lot of time to understand how the business works. I took on the task of learning how to produce, write, have my own studio, mix my music and be the jack of all trades.

Defender: The entertainment industry took a big hit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Did this experience set you back or did it help with re-creating or developing your sound?

Felton: I never looked at it to be a setback

Mark Allen Felton

because it’s an opportunity to make an assessment of what you need to do to create a path and grow. During that time period I wrote a 300-page novel called “Jacks Myth.” It was a great opportunity for me to explore other avenues of creativity. The book is about an older musician who never gave up on his dreams of becoming known in the world. It’s an inspirational satirical comedy. The book also has an album where each chapter has its own song.

The pandemic was hard for everyone, but it was a blessing at the same time.

Defender: Who are some of your favorite artists or groups that inspired your musical journey?

Felton: Growing up, I wanted to be a bas-

ketball player. Things didn’t turn out the way I thought so I turned to music as my main thing because I wanted to be successful in the arts.

One of the groups that influenced me is Kool and the Gang. I would watch them on television and they were spreading the horns around and I thought it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Earth Wind and Fire, Sonny Stitt, Grover Washington Jr. and John Coltrane are major influencers as well.

Defender: What new projects are you currently working on?

Felton: This new record I’m working on

is called “Gem-in-I” [Gemini] because I have little gems coming from my soul that I want to share with the world. I started working on this during the pandemic. The first radio release will come out in February and then the CD will come out in March.

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DN InFocus

150 JUNETEENTH 2022

REGION-WIDE, COORDINATED JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS

YEARS

EMANCIPATION PARK CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY

By Aswad Walker

In 1872, a mere seven years after June 19, 1865, the day that has come to be known as Juneteenth, when slavery was officially abolished in the state of Texas, Houston’s Emancipation Park was founded. A group of formerly enslaved Blacks, led by Rev. Jack Yates, raised funds and pooled resources to purchase the land upon which they desired to commemorate the day of their liberation into perpetuity.

What started as a local observance has now become a national and even international phenomenon, which many Juneteenth celebrants view as a good thing.

However, they see it as just as critical to remember its origin story, of which Third Ward’s Emancipation Park, located at 3018 Emancipation Ave., is a main character.

From Saturday, June 18 through Sunday, June 19, Emancipation Park Conservancy (EPC), the Kinder Foundation and the City of Houston will host Emancipation Park’s Sesquicentennial Juneteenth Celebration under the banner, “Celebrating our Legacy: Bridging Generations.”

Highlights include a gospel and R&B musical lineup featuring the Isley Brothers, Kool & the Gang, Sheila E., Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, Earnest Pugh, Pastor Mike Jr., Zacardi Cortez and Monica Lisa Stevenson.

“This celebration will be a joyous event on EVENT SPONSORS

the second anniversary of Juneteenth being recognized as a national holiday,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “And on this very special occasion, we will reflect as a community on how far we’ve come on this freedom journey, and understanding the pledge, the challenges, the hurdles, and the opportunities that have shaped the African American community in this city. The magnitude around this year’s occasion goes beyond measure.”

In announcing the EPC’s sesquicentennial plans, Turner said Juneteenth is the oldest known holiday that commemorates

the end of slavery in Texas.

“And this park is committed to serving the people of Houston and the historic legacy of those who journeyed from Galveston back on Juneteenth 1865, when General [Gordon] Granger gave the news on the Miranda,” said Turner.

“I know we look every day at television and we all talk about how we love freedom, as we see our people are fighting in other countries for freedom. Well, Juneteenth is about freedom. It’s about the day and the time that we all learned that those of us who were people that lived in these United States of America, whether it was in Texas, New York, Chicago, or wherever it might have been, that finally, we were all free.”

The event will commemorate the park’s 150th anniversary and the abolition of slavery in the Lone Star State. As part of the celebration, EPC will host various events designed to: 1) Educate current and future generations about the park, the surrounding community and key social topics via discussions.

2) Empower the community with free educational resources.

3) Provide opportunities for economic advancement via a vendor market and resource fair.

4) Uplift and celebrate the park and the day with a host of national recording artists.

“Emancipation Park is such a special place. We all know that. But it’s really much more than a place to go for recreation,” said Rich Kinder of the Kinder Foundation. “You look around, and this is a great avenue for recreation. But far beyond that, as we’re stressing today, and we’ll be stressing in June, it’s really a part of history and a part of culture, for Houston, for the state of Texas, and indeed for the entire United States.”

Just as excited about the park’s sesquicentennial is Ramon Manning, EPC board

Baker Hughes

BIPOC Arts Network & Fund

Coca Cola

ACTIVITIES

For 150 years this park has been here to help us all to remember what Juneteenth 1872 is all about. It’s about freedom, freedom for us all,” - JACQUELINE BOSTIC great-granddaughter of Jack Yates

Kinder Foundation

• National recording artists • Interactive kids’ zone • Community partners with outdoor activities • Food, beverage and product vendors • Game zone • Guided park tours • Cooling zone • Fireworks display For more information, visit https://epconservancy.org/ or call 713-528-1872

Historic Emancipation Park Photos courtesy Emancipation Park Conservancy.

chair. However, he wants to make sure that celebration participants and others know that Emancipation Park is so much more.

“For us, it’s really being intentional and deliberate about why this place was founded and its use and going forward, and how we continue to expand on that,” said Manning as he listed just a few examples of activities and events held at Emancipation Park, including free dental health clinics, youth activities and lecture series on everything from health disparities to voting rights.

Houston Astros

Manning added that it is critical that more individuals and institutions actively engage in “telling our story and having people understand the history and the importance of this space.”

The Emancipation Park celebration is free and open to the public, though tickets are required. Ticket holders will have access to a vendor fair featuring food, local small businesses and community resources.

Potential attendees can register online at epconservancy.org for a maximum of three tickets until all are distributed.

Houston Texans

From Freedmen’s Town to Fifth Ward, Acres Homes, Independence Heights and historic neighborhoods throughout the city, Houstonians will have an array of events to attend during the upcoming Juneteenth holiday.

During a recent press conference, Mayor Sylvester Turner joined the Houston City-Wide Juneteenth Planning Committee to announce multiple multicultural celebrations recognizing Juneteenth and its importance to history, freedom and the Houston- Galveston region.

The news conference marked the first time in the city’s history that a unified effort is promoting Juneteenth events hosted by organizations throughout Houston.

“I am pleased to announce that our community has joined forces to celebrate freedom in commemoration of Juneteenth. These events are open to everyone, and we want each celebration to impact our community and leave a lasting impression on generations of people. And if you are like me, you plan to hit them all,” said Turner.

Participants also announced the launch of a new website designed to track celebrations hosted by communities, organizations and institutions around the city. Each is designed to showcase Houston’s rich history, diversity and inclusion. For additional information, visit https://www.juneteenthhouston.org/.

The mayor was joined by: District H City Councilmember Karla Cisneros; Zion Escobar, director of Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy; Tanya Debose, Independence Heights Redevelopment Council; Harrison Guy, 5th Ward Cultural Arts District; Ramon Manning, Emancipation Park Conservancy; Miguell Ceaser, lead archivist of the African American Library at the Gregory School; Necole Irvin, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs; the Houston Heritage Society and Janice Weaver, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations.

“While we know this isn’t every Juneteenth event taking place, we hope that this is the beginning of deeper collaboration and connection within the Houston Galveston region. This story is a regional story, and this is the birthplace, and this is the home,” said Escobar.

Shell

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DN Education

‘Emancipation Conversations’ focuses on education, HBCUs

Please join CenterWell Senior Primary Care in offering a very warm welcome to Dr. Jasjit Singh

Moderator ReShonda Tate (left), TSU’s President Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young and Dr. Rod Paige. Photo by Aswad Walker.

By Aswad Walker

As part of the Emancipation Park Juneteenth 150 Celebration, commemorating the park’s Sesquicentennial (1872–2022), the Emancipation Conservancy hosted “Emancipation Conversations: The State of Education and the Role and Importance of HBCUs.” The event, which was part of the Emancipation Conversations Lecture Series, featured as panelists Texas Southern University President Lesia Crumpton-Young and Dr. Roderick Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education, HISD superintendent and TSU College of Education dean.

The conversation between the two education experts was moderated by ReShonda Tate, managing editor of the Defender Network and award-winning author. Here are excerpts.

sure we’re having an inclusive conversation about HBCUs and our environment. So, we’re doing a good job, but we need the advocacy.

We need the money. As I said [to an official] yesterday, ‘I have outstanding students at Texas Southern. There are [also] outstanding students at the University of Houston.

But why does the University of Houston get $3,000 more in their funding per student than I get?” So, we have to be able to have those courageous conversations. I need you all [attendees] to help me have those courageous conversations so that people are aware that we need equitable funding. We’re not asking for a handout. We educate our students the same way they educate theirs.

We’re asking for the funding to do an excellent job of it as well.”

THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION

EQUITABLE FUNDING: WHAT COMMUNITY CAN DO

Crumpton-Young: “Your college degree is more than just about money. It is about your investment in yourself…When we talk about loans and debt, we go into debt to buy furniture. We go into debt to buy a television. We go into debt to buy cars, to buy homes. We go into debt to buy clothes. We go into debt with our credit cards to buy all types of things. Why do we all of a sudden have a big conversation about debt when it’s related to higher education? When higher education, we know, is our platform for elevation. So, I say to everyone else, let’s stop buying into the rhetoric that mainstream America is pushing, because maybe that’s the conspiracy to keep us from being educated. I know everybody’s like, ‘She talking about conspiracy theories.’

I believe that’s what it is. So, we shouldn’t buy into that hype.”

NEED FOR HBCU ADVOCACY

Crumpton-Young: “There are many HBCUs doing great jobs. I want to make

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PAIGE: “The first thing the community can do is stay involved in the leadership at HISD and other school districts, as well. I don’t think we pay enough attention to that.

But the people who sit around the table and make the decisions are people who have been chosen by us to be leaders there, because we voted for them or didn’t vote for them. And I think we pay it too little attention. It’s a major decision when you’re deciding who’s going to be one of the nine board members at HISD, or who’s going to be one of the members of the board of any school district in our area.

Because those people make important decisions. And these decisions are very important determinants of the success or failure of the institution. So, we just need to pay more attention to that and get people more involved in the selection of leadership. If one thing is important, and I know it is for us as a Black people in this country, it is making sure that we have the right leadership. And we’re failing if we don’t get that done.”

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Education

HISD plans teacher raises

By Laura Onyeneho

As part of HISD’s five-year strategic plan, Superintendent Millard House II announced an upgrade to the compensation plan for educators.

According to the district, there will be an 11% pay increase for HISD teachers starting at $61,500 for the 2022 and 2023 school year.

Currently, more than 8,000 current teachers have committed to teaching in the district for three more years.

“We believe this revised compensation plan will not only keep us on target in terms of moving towards the top of the compensation market within the region but will provide us with critical ability to retain and attract world-class talent,” House said.

In April, a budget was presented to the board with a proposed plan of teachers getting a 7% pay hike next year. At the time HISD teachers were open to the raise, but argued that it wasn’t nearly enough to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Now, with the current plan in place, HISD is expected to outpace the minimum salaries in other large Texas school districts such as Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Forth Worth ISDs.

teachers, because those of us still here will bear the brunt of potentially larger size classes.

Rennette E. Brown

Vice President of Secondary Schools, Houston Federation of Teachers

Compensation plans for principals, assistant principals and deans will be updated for staff starting the next school year.

The Defender asked local educators their thoughts about the news. Here are some of the responses.

Coretta Mallet Fontenot Teacher, Chavez High School

“I’m actually pleasantly surprised. It would make things fair for those coming into education as a first-year teacher and those like myself who have 20+ years experience. It says a lot about valuing educators, clerical staff, paraprofessionals who work in our special education classes, bus drivers, cafeteria workers. It takes all of us to run the school. I hope this will retain

Your Choice.

“I’ve been in HISD since 1998. I started off as a teaching assistant and then became a classroom teacher in 2006 once I graduated college.

My starting salary was roughly $40,000. The last couple of times we’ve gotten raises, 3% here, 4% there…still there was a pay cut because it puts you in another tax bracket and then more taxes come out. We are just living life with inflation. So, for us to get 11% is wonderful, but on the flip side my concern is will there be people who will lose their jobs in order to pay for these raises? How about support staff? I’ll be back at the school board to follow up.”

Traci Latson

Career & Technology Middle School teacher, HISD

“I’ve been a teacher for 26 years. I’m grateful that HISD has actually stepped out for once and taken the lead as far as not just teacher pay but employee pay. That’s an excellent start

to address the teacher retention crisis that all of the United States is facing. An American crisis that I believe not enough people are paying attention to. There is a lot more work that needs to be done to retain educators. I’m hopeful that HISD will become the leader to properly address these problems head on.”

Ginger Citizen HISD employee

“I can honestly say it was shocking to hear of this increase based upon the board. The board will introduce one amount and then the Houston Federation of Teachers would shoot for another amount, so to see that it was higher than expected was good. This is my 23rd year in the district and I don’t think I’ve ever seen an increase like this at one time. This might not be considered a downside but I think this came with a lot of influence from surrounding districts and how they were taking initiatives for salary increases...It’s so ironic that doctors and other professions, they wouldn’t be where they are without the foundation from teachers. They applaud us for what we do, but the compensation doesn’t match and this is a good step in the right direction.”

Their Future.

LEARN THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF COVID-19 IMMUNIZATION FOR CHILDREN.

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.

12 | June 9, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

Transformative year: Black coaches lead 50% of NBA teams Associated Press

It’s an annual occurrence in the NBA. Teams change head coaches and the roster of candidates who should get those jobs starts getting bandied about, and especially in recent years those lists almost always included Black candidates. Case in point: Ime Udoka, who is of Nigerian descent.

For five years, he was one of those can’tmiss candidates but never got hired. That is, until the Boston Celtics gave him the opportunity. And all Udoka did in year one was reach the NBA Finals.

“I don’t understand what took so long, to be honest,” Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said.

Udoka’s hiring by the Eastern Conference champion Celtics, who are playing in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, was part of a transformative year for the league when it comes to diversity within the coaching ranks. In the last 12 months, eight coaching jobs have been filled by Black candidates — and for the first time, half the league’s franchises, 15 of the 30, have Black head coaches.

“It means a lot,” said Golden State assistant Mike Brown, one of the eight recent Black hires; he’s taking over the Sacramento Kings when this series ends. “When my son, and my oldest son’s about to have his first son, when they turn on the TV and they see people that look like them leading an NBA team on the sidelines, it can be inspiring.

“For me, carrying the torch and then passing it to the next generation is something that I think about often — not just for my family, but for others out there.”

It’s been nearly 60 years since Bill Russell broke the NBA coaching color barrier when he became the first Black man to coach a team; he accepted the role as player-coach of the Celtics starting with the 1966-67 season and won a championship in his second season.

Al Attles and Lenny Wilkens were the next two Black coaches to get opportunities; they would eventually become champions as well. There have been roughly 260 different coaches in the NBA, excluding short-term interim fill-ins, since Russell was hired, and 1 out of 3 of those coaches have been Black.

But most of those Black coaches have either lasted in their first job no more than three years or not gotten a second chance at leading a team.

Out of a recent meting, the NBA Coaches Equality Initiative was born. The NBCA worked with the league in many ways to get it started, including the building of a database; in a couple of clicks, teams in need

Golden State Warriors’ Andre Iguodala, left, and acting coach Mike Brown call out instructions during the second half of Game 6 of the team’s NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Francisco, Friday, May 13, 2022. The Warriors won 110-96 and advanced to the conference finals. AP Photo/ Tony Avelar

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, right, speaks with coach Ime Udoka during NBA basketball practice in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 1, 2022.

AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn

of coaches could get information, including qualifications, experience and even an on-camera interview in some cases, on every available candidate.

There are still areas where the NBA can improve in terms of diversity. Most front-office positions are not held by people of color and Michael Jordan is the lone Black

principal owner of a franchise; Jordan leads the Charlotte Hornets, the only team that has a coaching vacancy right now.

“In terms of diversity, we discuss it all the time,” Silver said at All-Star weekend in February. “We’ve made more progress in other areas. And in terms of CEOs on the business side of teams, we would absolutely love to see more progress there...No doubt, that’s an area we can do a better job.”

That said, the numbers in the NBA wildly exceed the other major U.S. pro leagues.

There are three Black coaches in the NFL — Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Houston’s Lovie Smith and Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles. That does not include Miami’s Mike McDaniel; his father is Black, but McDaniel identifies as biracial. The person McDaniel replaced in Miami, former coach Brian Flores, is suing the Dolphins and the NFL for what he says is racial discrimination in hiring practices.

“Our league leads the charge,” Mike Brown said. “Hopefully other leagues will follow suit.”

But he also points out that he longs for a day when 50% of the coaches in a league being Black won’t seem like a milestone.

“That’s the dream,” he said.

June 9, 2022 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

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14 | June 9, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Olympian and former Houston track and field phenomenon Carl Lewis was inducted into the inaugural class of the USTFCCCA Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame.

Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez agreed to a six-year, $115 million contract extension that will tie him to the club through the 2028 season.

SportsBriefs Romeo Crennel retires

Longtime defensive guru and former NFL head coach Romeo Crennel announced his retirement after 50 years of coaching, which includes 39 in the NFL. Crennel, of course, has Romeo been with Crennel the Texans the last eight seasons in several capacities including defensive coordinator to interim head coach, but came to notoriety as the defensive coordinator of the Patriots.

PVAMU wins Commissioner’s Cup

The PVAMU Panthers ath-

letic department captured the 2021-22 SWAC Commissioner’s Cup after winning eight league championships this past year.

The Panthers took home conference titles this past academic year in soccer Donald Reed (regular season/conference tournament), bowling, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field and softball. PVAMU also won the Commissioner’s Cup for the 2020-21 year.

Marcus Sasser returning

University of Houston junior guard Marcus Sasser announced he has withdrawn his name from the NBA Draft and will rejoin the Sasser Cougars for Marcus the 2022-23 season. Sasser missed 26 games last season with a foot injury and now gives the Cougars three returning starters for next season.

Nathan Crawford Wallis PVAMU track star talks ‘Mamba Mentality’

By Terrance Harris

There were no words shared, just a simple nod between Nathan Crawford-Wallis and Prairie View A&M coach Chris Clay right before a critical triple jump attempt during the NCAA Preliminaries last month in Arkansas. They were both thinking, “Yeah, this is happening.”

With that understanding, the sophomore from Barbados made the biggest jump of his career, leaping a personal-best 52 feet 9 inches to finish eighth in the finals to qualify for this week’s NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. The celebration was tempered, however.

“It was kind of like relief,” said Crawford-Wallis, who has a distinctive accent. “It wasn’t too much excitement because I don’t only want to go to nationals to say that I went.

I actually want to go to nationals and I actually want to do something.

“So even though I was excited and celebrating, I still had that in mind. The job is not finished, the Mamba Mentality.”

Perhaps it’s all Crawford-Wallis has endured this season to arrive at this point that caused him to hold back. While making it to nationals had always been the goal, it wasn’t clear that it would end up this way

as distraction after distraction seemed to threaten his path.

First, his trusted jumps coach Phillip Butler left in the middle of the season to take another job. Then COVID-19 struck the PVAMU track and field team and Crawford-Wallis was one of the members who caught the virus. Finally, he broke his hand and that caused him to miss nearly two months of competition, which shelved him almost up to the postseason.

Crawford-Wallis knew his mentality was going to have to shift and that is what he told himself.

“Once I got everything sorted, I just kind of sat down and told myself it’s time to put that work in,” he said. “I told myself, the only person who is going to make stuff happen is me. No matter what’s going on in my life I have to find a way to make use of what I have. That’s really what this season has been for me.”

And that was exactly the mentality he took into the SWAC Championships in early May. With his cast freshly cut off, Crawford-Wallis put on a spectacular showing, winning the triple jump event with a 51’3 leap while finishing second in the long jump and third in

the high jump to help the Panthers win their second straight conference title.

All of the adversity Crawford-Wallis endured during the season had prepared him for that moment.

“This really taught me how to sit down and plan what steps I need to take to be in a certain spot,” said Crawford-Wallis, who earned Most Outstanding Men’s Field Performer during the SWAC Championships.

“A lot of thinking, a lot of analysis and just watching videos and stuff and to just sit down and think about stuff just in case – basically to have a plan B just in case your plan A doesn’t work out.

“I always have to expect the unexpected as D-1 athlete,” he continued. “So it really taught me to make use of what I have and to plan before certain stuff happens that could set me back.”

What’s interesting is while he has a plan to do well in the triple jump during nationals, he does not want to attach a number to what jump or place would make him satisfied his first time out.

“I’m going to trust myself as an athlete, trust the work that I’ve put in and do my best and let God handle the rest,” he said.

June 9, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports MILBY PITCHER

JHAEDEN

BOWERS PUSHES BUFFS TO THE BRINK

By Jodie B. Jiles

Milby senior right-hand fast ball pitcher Jhaeden Bowers, a Jackson State University commit, is a 6-foot-2-inch pitcher with a cannon of an arm that averages just under 90 mph on the pitch radar gun.

While many had high expectations for Milby during the regular season, few foresaw the team clearing through the first three rounds of the playoffs with relative ease defeating Angleton, Santa Fe and La Porte before being eliminated by Lake Creek. Milby finished the season with a 17-4 record and went 4-0 in district play The Defender spoke with Bowers during Milby’s playoff run to discuss his style of play, Jackson State commitment, advice to others and more.

STYLE OF PLAY “I am a leader on and off when it comes to the classroom and being that person that everyone can follow.”

UNIQUE PARTS OF GAME “It’s the way I go about it. I’m not cocky but I am confident because I know what I can do. And it’s just a matter of putting it to work.”

TEAM KEYS TO SUCCESS “Just having a sound defense. When we put the ball into play we get things done.”

JACKSON STATE COMMITMENT “I feel like they actually wanted me there. I wasn’t just another recruit. I was a part of their family when I toured and talked to the coaches. They made me feel at home.”

ADVICE TO OTHERS “Put the work in. No matter where you are right now. As long as you put the work in it is going to show at some point.”

ABOUT JHAEDEN BOWERS

Instagram: @jhaeden.bowers Twitter: @Jhae_20B22 Secondary position: Centerfield Favorite musician: Pop Smoke Shout-outs: “My mom who got me through everything.”

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DEFENDER NETWORK

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