Houston Defender: July 03, 2014

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Volume 83 | Number 34

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NATIONAL REP. MARCIA FUDGE defends voting rights

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FABULOUS 4

ENTERTAINMENT

Most powerful celebrities

BOBBY WOMACK leaves musical legacy

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P4 SPORTS CARMELO ANTHONY visits Houston Rockets

Black businesses

nationally ranked As chairman and CEO of Smith, Graham & Co. investment management firm, Gerald Smith leads one of the local companies named to Black Enterprises list of America’s top Black businesses.

Find out about other Houston companies that made the 2014 list.

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4th of July

raises questions America is celebrating Independence Day, but the holiday goes beyond fireworks, parades and barbecue.

See why the late, great Frederick Douglass called the 4th of July a “sham.” Discover little known facts about African-American Revolutionary War heroes.

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H.S. ZONE QUINTON BOLLING optimistic about Dobie

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DEFENDER | JULY 3 | 2014

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newstalk

Local firms make BE list

B

lack Enterprise recently released the annual BE 100s, which ranks America’s largest Black-owned industrial/service companies, automobile dealers, advertising agencies and financial services firms.

Five Houston companies – which regularly make the list – were recognized again.

“The BE 100s – the nation’s largest Black businesses – continue to be the standard bearers for all American enterprises, demonstrating that sustained business growth comes when ideation and innovation is wedded to execution and excellence,” said Derek T. Dingle, Black Enterprise senior VP/editor-in-chief.

“As such, most exhibit elasticity, capability, technological adaptability and branding power in a seesaw economic recovery and hyper-competitive business environment.”

The local firms on the Black Enterprise list are:

Smith, Graham & Co. Investment Advisors L.P., Gerald Smith, chief executive, ranks No. 7 on the asset managers list with $5.5 billion in assets under management and has 30 employees.

J. Davis Automotive Group, James Davis Jr., chief executive, ranks No. 23 on the auto list with $108 million in revenue and has 105 employees.

The Lewis Group L.L.P., Sherman Lewis III, chief executive, ranks No. 25 on the industrial/service list with $137 million in revenue. The company owns quick service restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores and has 960 employees.

Barnett Auto Group, Carl Barnett Sr., chief executive, ranks No. 28 on the auto list with $78 million and has 164 employees.

ChaseSource L.P., Tony Chase chief executive, ranks No. 97 on the industrial/ service list with $25 million. The company specializes in staffing and facilities management and has 45 employees.

James Davis Jr.

Gerald Smith

Sherman Lewis III and Sherman Lewis II

Carl Barnett Sr.

Anthony “Tony” Chase

localbriefs TWO HOUSTONIANS, Timothy Dewayne Coleman and Tiara Deshawn Thomas, were arrested and charged with “dog attack” in the January death of Christina Bell, who was killed by two pit bulls. HPD investigators said at least one of the pit bulls belonged to Coleman and Thomas. If convicted, each could face two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson said that vicious dog attacks causing serious bodily injury or death will not be tolerated and dog owners who allow such aggressive behavior will be prosecuted. “Sadly, Christina Bell’s life could not be saved, but we haven’t forgot-

ten her and we are seeking justice in this horrible case,” Anderson said…….. WESTBURY HIGH SCHOOL BAND members and dancers are seeking donations to help fund their trip to Canton, Ohio in August to march in the Pro Football Hall of Fame parade. Inductee Michael Strahan played football at Westbury his senior year in high school. The trip will cost up to $45,000. HISD is contributing $15,000, and Friends of Westbury donated $5,000. Each of the 65-70 band members and dancers is contributing $350. The group is still about $15,000-$17,000 short of its goal. Donations can be made at www. fundly.com/westbury-high-school-band........

CONGRESSMAN AL GREEN received the VetsFirst Congressional Bronze Star Award.

Green was recognized for his legislative efforts to increase access to housing modifications for veterans living with disabilities and his overall work to honor the nation’s veterans. VetsFirst, a program of the United Spinal Association, assists veterans and eligible family members with benefits…….ANOTHER AREA CODE has been added to Houston – 346. The North American Number Planning Administration assigned 346 to Houston after projecting that the three existing area codes – 713, 281 and 832 – will run out of numbers by the end of September.

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national

U.S.briefs EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL USE accounts for one in 10 deaths among U.S. workingage adults ages 20 to 64, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control. Excessive alcohol use led to approximately 88,000 deaths per year from 2006 to 2010, and shortened the lives of those who died by about 30 years. Deaths were due to health effects such as breast cancer, liver or heart disease, alcohol poisoning, violence and vehicle crashes. “Excessive alcohol use is a leading cause of preventable death that kills many Americans in the prime of their lives,” said Ursula E. Bauer, director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking (eight or more drinks a week for women, 15 or more drinks a week for men), and alcohol use by pregnant women or those under the legal drinking age……..GEORGE ZIMMERMAN lost his case against NBC. A Florida judge dismissed the defamation lawsuit filed by Zimmerman against the network and three reporters, and said he failed to show the network acted with malice. Zimmerman accused NBC of portraying him as a racist in a series of news reports about the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman still owes his defense attorneys $2.5 million……..NEW ORLEANS POLICE are searching for two men who exchanged gunfire on June 29, injuring 10 people on Bourbon Street. The victims ranged in age from 17 to 39. One person is in critical condition. Four others are stable and the remaining victims were treated and released.

The cause of the shooting remained unclear.

“What happened was two young men got angry at each other and shot at each other,” said New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas. “Our No. 1 priority is to keep New Orleans safe,” added Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

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Groups call for voting rights action

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year anniversary of the Shelby County v. Holder case, Henderson said, “Voting is the language of American democracy: if you don’t vote, you don’t count.” ne year after the Supreme Court gutted In January, a bipartisan group of Washington a key section of the Voting Rights Act lawmakers accepted the Supreme Court’s challenge of 1965, “the right to vote for all is under grave threat,” said Wade Henderson, to update the VRA, by introducing the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014. president and CEO of the Leadership While the proposed VRAA covers states with Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of five violations in 15 nearly 200 civil and years and jurisdichuman rights organitions that show conzations. tinuous low minority Last summer, turnout and enhances in Shelby County v.

Department of Holder, the Supreme Justice’s power to Court struck down monitor elections, it section 4 of the VRA, only requires Geora key provision of gia, Louisiana, Texas the law that defined and Mississippi to which states and “pre-clear” changes jurisdictions with to voting laws. histories of voter Congresswoman discrimination had to Marcia Fudge, chair pre-clear any changes of the Congressioto voting rules with nal Black Caucus, the Department of called on Rep. Bob Justice (DOJ) or a Goodlatte (R-Va.), federal court.

After the ruling, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge discusses the 2014 Voting Rights Amendment the chairman of the House Judiciary Republican lawmak- Act at a D.C. press conference.

Committee to “do the ers in various states right thing” and call for a vote on the Voting Rights rushed to pass restrictive voter ID laws that often Amendment Act. block poor and Black voters from the ballot box.

Although the bill isn’t perfect, most voters’ rights Attorney General Eric Holder, the DOJ and civil advocates and civil rights groups agree that headed rights groups countered by filing lawsuits across into the 2014 midterm elections, the VRAA is better the country. than nothing.

During a press conference highlighting the oneNNPA News Service

Obama seeks to return immigrant children VOLUME 83 • NUMBER 34 JULY 3, 2014 Print Editor Publisher Marilyn Marshall Sonceria Messiah-Jiles People Editor Advertising/Client Relations Yvette Chargois Selma Dodson Tyler Sports Editors Multimedia Manager Max Edison Tiffany Williams Darrell K. Ardison Online Editor Local Editor ReShonda Billingsley LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Contributing Writer Tony Fernandez-Davila Cierra Duncan 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).

President Obama is asking Congress for authority to quickly deport thousands of Central American children illegally crossing the U.S. border.

Obama is seeking emergency funding that would help conduct “an aggressive deterrence strategy focused on the removal and repatriation of recent border crossers.”

In a letter to Congressional leaders, Obama said the administration is confronting the humanitarian crisis with a coordinated response on both sides of the border.

“This includes fulfilling our legal and moral obligation to make sure we appropriately care for unaccompanied children who are apprehended, while taking aggressive steps to surge resources

to our Southwest border to deter both adults and children from this dangerous journey…,” he said.

The Border Patrol in South Texas has been overwhelmed by unaccompanied children and parents traveling with children from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

Unlike Mexican immigrants arrested after entering the U.S. illegally, those from Central America cannot be as easily returned to their countries. Some children are being sent as far away as California for processing and shelter.

Violence in Central America is blamed for the mass influx. According to the State Department, Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world.

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DEFENDER | JULY 3 | 2014

Bobby Womack dead at 70

AMERICAN★ICONS

Emmy-nominated actor Meshach Taylor died June 28 from cancer. He was 67. He died in hospice care at his home in Altadena, Calif., and was surrounded by his wife, children and mother.

Taylor was best known for his role as Anthony on “Designing Women,” the sitcom that aired from 1986 to 1993. He costarred for four seasons on another successful comedy, “Dave’s World.” He appeared as a guest star on numerous other series, including “Criminal Minds” in January.

Taylor was born in Boston. He later moved to New Orleans and Indianapolis, where his father served as a college dean. He studied theater arts at Florida A&M University before dropping out to work as a radio reporter and TV personality. After working in theater in Chicago, he moved to Los Angeles in 1978 to pursue a TV and film career.

Join Macy’s in our cross-country tribute to the great American way! To learn more – and see what’s happening at a Macy’s near you – visit macys.com/americanicons

NOW THROUGH SUN, JULY 6

JULY 4TH

Legendary soul singer Bobby Womack died June 27 at age 70. The cause of death is unknown. He suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and prostate cancer.

From 1970 to 1990 Womack placed 36 singles on the charts, including “That’s the Way I Feel About Cha,” “Woman’s Gotta Have It,” “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” “Daylight” and “Lookin’ for a Love.”

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2012 he released “The Bravest Man in the Universe,” his first album in more than 10 years Womack was born in Cleveland. He and his siblings formed a gospel group at a young age. While touring with the Soul Stirrers, they met the group’s lead singer, Sam Cooke.

After Cooke move from gospel to soul, he asked the Womacks to move to California. Bobby Womack was only 16 at the time and dropped out of school.

Under Cooke’s guidance the Womacks recorded as the Valentinos and the Lovers. After Cooke’s mysterious shooting death in 1964, the Valentinos broke up and Womack embarked on a solo career.

He is survived by four children.

Meshach Taylor dead at 67

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JULY 3 | 2014 | DEFENDER

entertainment

Powerful celebrities 7 out of top 10 Black

B

eyoncé is No. 1. She recently climbed to the top of Forbes’ annual listing of the 100 most powerful celebrities, due to a spectacular tour, an innovative self-titled album and a platinum-selling single, “Drunk in Love.”

Six more Black celebrities made the list’s top 10, including Beyoncé’s husband, Jay Z. The Forbes listing ranks the top stars from music, movies, TV, sports, books and modeling based on money and fame. The 2014 list is based on earnings from June 1, 2013 to June 1, 2014. Fame is measured by how many times each celebrity is mentioned in print, on TV and radio, as well as their social media presence.

So while Dr. Dre earned the most money in the top 10, he did not surpass Beyoncé’s fame.

In the case of Beyoncé, she has also built a business empire through endorsements, a line of fragrances and the clothing company, House of Dereon.

At 60, Oprah Winfrey is the oldest person in the top 10, while 26-year-old Rihanna is the youngest.

Other Black celebrities ranked on the entire list include Kobe Bryant (15), Kanye West (20), Tiger Woods (21), Pharrell Williams (38), Tyler Perry (56), Serena Williams (69), Will Smith (75) and Kerry Washington (93).

Here is a list of the top 10 and their earnings in millions of dollars.

top

5

10

1. Beyoncé – $115 mil.

2. LeBron James – $72 mil.

3. Dr. Dre – $620 mil.

4. Oprah Winfrey – $82 mil.

5. Ellen DeGeneres – $70 million mil.

6. Jay-Z – $60 mil.

7. Floyd Mayweather – $105 mil.

8. Rihanna – $48 mil.

9 Katy Perry – $40 mil.

10. Robert Downey Jr. – $75 mil.

Dr. Dre

Beyoncé LeBron James

what’sup ARETHA FRANKLIN confirmed that she will work with Lifetime on a movie about her life. “We’re very, very close to signatures on one agreement,” she said. “It’s just a matter of our coming to terms and agreeing about what we’re doing to do.” Though Franklin once said she wanted HALLE BERRY to portray her, JENNIFER HUDSON and AUDRA McDONALD are reportedly on her list now. “Audra’s got a great voice to work with, but she’s very Broadway-oriented.

That doesn’t mean she cannot perform in the arena of soul, so that’s why I’m interested in hearing how she would sing my things. The singing is certainly going to be a very, very integral and important part of it,” Franklin said…….. CHADWICK BOSEMAN, who played JACKIE ROBINSON in “42,” said he almost passed on portraying JAMES BROWN in “Get on Up,” which hits theaters Aug. 1. It co-stars VIOLA

DAVIS, OCTAVIA SPENCER and JILL SCOTT. “It was actually something that I thought might not be a good idea, to take on another person we revere as an icon. But at the same time, when it rains it pours, and sometimes you gotta ride the wave of what’s happening,” Boseman said……..The BET Awards became cable’s No. 1 award show this season, drawing 7.9 million viewers and dominating Twitter with 11 million tweets. BEYONCÉ was named Best Female R&B/ Pop Artist and PHARRELL WILLIAMS was named Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. DRAKE and NICKI MINAJ won awards for Best Male and Female Hip Hop Artist. LUPITA NYONGO and CHIWETEL EJIOFOR won Best Actress and Actor awards for their performances in “12 Years a Slave.” LIONEL RICHIE received the Lifetime Achievement Award…….. Gospel artist KIERRA SHEARD visited

four Houston Walgreens stores recently to launch her new hosiery line for curvier women, Sheers by Sheard. She is the star of BET’s “The Sheards” and the newest judge on “Sunday Best.” She will release her fifth album later this month……... Fans of “The View” are wondering what will happen now that SHERRI SHEPHERD is leaving after seven seasons. Shepherd reportedly couldn’t agree with the network on a new contract. WHOOPI GOLDBERG is the only remaining co-host.…….. TRACEY EDMONDS is joining the entertainment news magazine “Extra” as a co-host alongside MARIO LOPEZ. She is CEO of Edmonds Entertainment, whose latest project is the OWN series “Deion’s Family Playbook.” Edmonds is DEION SANDERS’ girlfriend and the ex-wife of KENNETH “BABYFACE” EDMONDS.

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DEFENDER | JULY 3 | 2014

centerfold

Douglass

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rederick Douglass (1818-1895) is most important Black leaders of t abolitionist, orator, statesman and Douglass fought for rights before He chronicled his life in thre of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845), “My Bondage and My Fr The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass” (188 Douglass also held high-level government po U.S. marshal for the District of Columbia and U. During the 1850s, Douglass spent about six m traveling and giving lectures. On July 5, 1852, he in Rochester, N.Y. commemorating the signing o Independence.

Douglass said that he respected “the fathers o called the signers of declaration “brave” and “gre Yet he attacked the hypocrisy of the holiday ery. Here are excerpts from his speech titled “The for the Negro.”

‘Yours, not mine’

BLACKS & THE

4TH OF JULY A

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

merica is once again observing the July 4th holiday, which celebrates the day in 1776 when the nation declared its freedom from Great Britain and adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The historic document tells us that “all men are created equal,” and are entitled to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Today, 238 years later, many African-Americans wonder if they have truly benefited from the freedom that their ancestors helped fight for during the Revolutionary War. Unemployment remains a problem, incarceration rates are disproportionately high and education is often unequal.

During the 19th century, Frederick Douglass questioned the 4th of July’s meaning at a time when slavery cast a dark cloud over America. Here, the Defender includes Douglass’ perspective on the holiday along with little known facts about Blacks in the Revolutionary War.

“Your high independence only reveals the im between us. The blessings in which you, this day, joyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is sha The sunlight that brought light and healing to you and death to me.

“This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You ma mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand ill liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous an mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, ci by asking me to speak to-day? If so, there is a pa And let me warn you that it is dangerous to copy tion whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were t breath of the Almighty, burying that nation in irre day take up the plaintive lament of a peeled and w

Blacks pla

Crispus Attucks

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s called celebration ‘a sham’

s considered one of the the 19th century. As an d newspaper publisher, e and after slavery. ee books: “Narrative s, An American Slave” reedom” (1855) and 81). ositions. He served as .S. minister of Haiti. months of the year e delivered a speech of the Declaration of

of this republic” and eat.” during times of slave meaning of July 4th

mmeasurable distance y, rejoice, are not en, liberty, prosperity and ared by you, not by me. u, has brought stripes

ay rejoice, I must luminated temple of nthems, were inhuman itizens, to mock me, arallel to your conduct. the example of a nathrown down by the evocable ruin! I can towoe-smitten people!”

‘Shame of America’

“My subject, then, fellow-citizens, is American slavery. I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave’s point of view. Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future.

“Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the constitution and the Bible which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery-the great sin and shame of America! “I will not equivocate; I will not excuse”; I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, or who is not at heart a slaveholder, shall not confess to be right and just.”

‘Injustice and cruelty’

“What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy-a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.

“There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.”

Frederick Douglass

ayed role in Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War officially began in 1775 and ended in 1783. However, hostility between the 13 colonies and the British government actually started during the French and Indian War, which lasted from 1754-1763.

Funding the French and Indian War led to an immense national debt for Britain. Parliament decided to help pay the debt by passing the Stamp Act, a tax imposed on the colonies. The tax angered Americans, which began the rift between Britain and its colonists.

Here are some facts about Black involvement in the Revolutionary War. • Crispus Attucks, a 47-year-old Black sailor, became the first casualty of the American Revolution when he was killed during the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770. The massacre was a street fight that occurred between British soldiers and Americans throwing snowballs, stones and sticks.

• Blacks were among the Americans who fought British soldiers at the battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775), the first military engagements of the Revolutionary War. • Approximately 5 percent of the American soldiers at the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775) were Black. Two Black heroes included Peter Salem and Salem Poor.

he Houston area for over 80 years

• In July 1775, George Washington took command of American troops and an order was issued from his headquarters forbidding enlistment of Black patriots. In November of that year, Lord Dunmore, the deposed royal governor of Virginia, offered freedom to all slaves who were willing to fight with the British.

Approximately 300 Black soldiers fought with Dunmore at the Battle of Great Bridge in December, 1775. Alarmed by the impact of Dunmore’s proclamation, Washington reversed his decision and allowed the enlistment of free Blacks.

• Congress authorized the enlistment of all Blacks, free and slave, in 1777.

Of the Southern states, only Maryland permitted Blacks to enlist.

• Black soldiers fought in many of the war’s big battles, including Princeton (1777), Red Bank (1777), Saratoga (1777), Savannah (1778) and Yorktown (1781).

• It is estimated that at least 5,000 Black soldiers fought on the patriot side during the Revolutionary War. • At the war’s conclusion, some 20,000 Blacks left with British troops, and ended up in Canada, the Caribbean, Britain and other parts of Europe.

Sources: U.S. Department of the Interior, history.com, “Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America” by Lerone Bennett Jr.

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DEFENDER | JULY 3 | 2014

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Mammograms offered for free

T

he Rose, a Houston non-profit organization offering a full range of breast cancer screening and diagnostic services, offers free mammograms to lowincome women who qualify through Aug. 31.

To receive free screenings, women must be 40 to 64 with an annual income of $23,340 or less for single women and $47,700 or less for a

Obesity increases breast cancer death risk A new study conducted by MD Anderson Cancer Center indicates a tie between obesity and a higher risk for death from breast cancer.

Scientists have long believed that obese women who developed estrogen-positive (ER+) breast cancer were at higher risk for death from the illness than lean women with the same diagnosis. Close to 75 percent of all breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive and will proliferate in response to the female hormone estrogen.

“Obesity increases the risk of cancer death among postmenopausal women with ER+ breast cancer, but the direct evidence for how this occurs is lacking,” said Enrique Fuentes-Mattei, Ph.D., of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology at MD Anderson.

Fuentes-Mattei, Mong-Hong Lee, Ph.D., and Sai-Ching Jim Yeung, M.D., Ph.D. are authors of an article about the study titled “Effects of Obesity on Transcriptomic Changes and Cancer Hallmarks in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer.”

The article, featured in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, revealed that obesity in patients was associated with changes in 59 biological processes linked to “cancer hallmarks” that allow one to distinguish normal cells from malignant cells.

“We examined the impact of fat cells and the proteins secreted by them on breast cancer growth in both human and mouse breast cancers,” Lee said. “Our study reported direct evidence about the breast cancerpromoting impact of obesity and the biological functions and cellular signaling mechanisms involved in patients and in the laboratory experimental models.”

family of four. Women must also be uninsured, have a physician or clinic referral and bring proof of income.

The Rose has two locations, 5420 West Loop South and 12700 N. Featherwood.

To make an appointment, visit www.

TheRose.org or call 281-464-5302 or 281-464-5145.

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JULY 3 | 2014 | DEFENDER

HCC, HISD aid at-risk students Houston Community College Southwest and HISD are teaming up with a common goal: to identify at-risk students who are disengaged and disconnected from their comprehensive high school and help them stay in school to earn their diplomas.

The new partnership school, called Middle College High School at HCC Gulfton and located at 5407 Gulfton Ave., is the first of its kind in the Houston area. The success of the effort lies in providing at-risk students a structured, personalized educational setting, while removing obstacles to their success through flexible schedules and accelerated programs.

The program will launch this fall.

Data suggests that the students want to graduate from high school, but normally cannot spend an entire day in a traditional classroom.

Students are often working to help support their siblings and families, or in some cases, have children of their own to support.

“The chances of these children making it into higher education from a regular school setting are slim,” said Betty Fortune, executive dean of instruction and student services at HCC Southwest.

“Middle College High School at HCC Gulfton provides a golden opportunity to help them transition to higher education for degrees and certifications.”

“We are pleased to see this partnership between HCC Southwest and HISD go forward.

It will have a positive impact on the future of Houston’s children as well as the future of Houston itself,” said District J Houston City Councilmember Mike Laster.

The accelerated programs at Middle College

include reading, math and science courses and will allow students to not only secure their high school diplomas, but also earn college credits.

“This is a generation of kids who need a lot of guidance and support, and need it desperately,” said Diana Del Pilar, principal of Middle College. “Many of these children really want to graduate from high school and go to college but there are hurdles to overcome. Now we are giving them a fighting chance.”

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Rockets striving to improve in offseason

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By MAX EDISON Defender

f Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey ever decides to look for a new profession, he could give Wayne Brady a run for his money as the host of “Let’s Make a Deal.”

Morey has achieved acclaim throughout the sports world as the ultimate big deal maker. In 2012 he made the blockbuster trade with OKC that made James Harden a Rocket. In 2013 he convinced Dwight Howard to leave the Lakers and become a Rocket. With such an impressive record what magic can Morey conjure up to improve the team during this offseason?

The Rockets lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs in a heart-breaking sixth game with the Portland Trailblazers. Loyal Rockets fans were stunned and Rockets GM Daryl Morey (center) has high hopes for draft picks Clint Capela and Nick Johnson. demanded to know what steps would be considered a project. He has played two seasons Minnesota Timberwolves. At 18, he became the taken to improve the team. Whether it’s through the with Elan Chalon’s senior squad in France, averagyoungest player in the Italian League playoff hisNBA draft or free agency, fans are expecting Morey ing 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds. It’s unknown if tory to score at least 20 points in a game. Gentile to once again add a key component that will propel the team will let him continue to play in France for averaged 9.1 points and 3.1 rebounds in the Italian the team toward a championship. another year or two to gain additional seasoning or Series A League over five seasons.

The draft was recently held, and with the 25th if he’ll come to Houston and competes for a roster If none of those young draftees get fans fired pick in the first round, the Rockets’ likelispot with the Rockets or the developmental squad. up, NBA free agency begins on July 2. This is where hood of finding a difference-maker was The Rockets selected a pair of players in the Morey figures to enhance his reputation as a deal remote. They selected Clint Capela, second round. Nick Johnson (guard, 6-feet-3, maker. With Carmelo Anthony (Knicks) and the Mia 6-foot-10, 245-pound center from 200) from Arizona was chosen with the 42nd ami Heat big three of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and France. pick overall. He averaged 12.3 points, 3.7 reDwayne Wade all opting out of their current deals “We thought he had the highest bounds and 2.8 assists through three campaigns and becoming free agents, Morey and staff will try upside outside of the top few guys in with the Wildcats. to convince at least one of the talented superstars to the draft,” Morey said. “His wingspan “We think he was the most wear red and white. Anthony has reportedly schedis second only to Anthony Davis. productive player on the best uled a visit to Houston.

He can rebound and block team in the country, Arizona,” The Rockets are awaiting league approval on a shots at a high level.”

Morey said. “He’s a multi-podeal that would send backup center Omer Asik to the Capela, a 20-yearsition defender, can defend New Orleans Pelicans for a first round pick in 2015. old Switzerland native, is the one and the two. He’s This move would free up a reported $8 million a big-time athlete, Pac-12 dollars in salary cap space. In addition, the Rockets Player of the Year. He’s failed to pick up the fourth-year option on forward a great, high-character, Chandler Parson’s contract to make him a restricted tough guy and really free agent. The team can match an offer sheet and has driven Arizona’s retain Parsons on a long-term contract. This move success the last couple was designed to give Morey additional salary cap years.” space. Sources also say there are potential deals in Alessandro Gentile, a place to trade Jeremy Lin to create even more cap 6-foot-7, 227-pound forward space. from Italy (53rd overall) was Stay tuned. This should be an interesting offseaFree agent Carmelo Anthony scheduled acquired in a trade with the son for the Rockets. a meeting with the Rockets.

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h.s.zone Dobie players find strength in numbers

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

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im Phillips believes there is strength in numbers.

Following a fourth consecutive trip to the high school football state playoffs in 2013, the Pasadena Dobie High School head football coach began a talent search among the school’s enrollment of more than 3,000 students to fortify the numbers on his team.

The Longhorns already possess a bonafide star in linebacker Keion Patterson, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound dynamo who can cover 40 yards in 4.6 seconds.

“He’s the best football player that I have,” Phillips said. “Last season he started out at outside linebacker, but because of injuries we had to move him inside. He goes hard on every down. Keion is a great Dobie football players to contend with are (clockwise from top left) Quinton Bolling (48), Dedrick Simpson (40), Ryan Williams (14) and Xavier Brown (56). leader and I wish we had 22 players just like him.” outside linebacker position this fall. “From my position I Patterson was an all-district selection last season can make explosive plays by flying around the football,” along with teammate Ryan Williams, the team’s besthe said. “Move around, have fun and help the team win.” cover cornerback in the secondary.

Simpson played varsity as a sophomore and played A lack of talent wasn’t the problem for the Longon the offensive line (guard). “I’m transitioning to the horns. Dobie lost the war of attrition due to another linebacker position. Need to work on my speed and agilfactor. ity,” he said. “I’m lifting weights and getting stronger. I “The injury bug hit us real hard last year,” said Doneed to work on my cuts and mental focus to get ready bie defensive coordinator Lance Dale. “As we went into for the season.” the North Shore game, I looked Quinton Bolling is up and saw seven or eight guys defendernetwork.com returning from an injury that that had been contributing on sidelined him for most of Learn more about Dobie football players defense sitting on the sideline in the 2013 season. A former street clothes. defensive end, Bolling is “We worked real hard this spring developing depth converting to outside linebacker. and moving kids around to different positions,” Dale said.

“My teammates told me after the injury that I had “We feel real confident in our front seven with 10 or 11 next season with them,” he said. “They always believed kids that can help us. We’re still working on the secondthat I would be able to come back and be better. ary with some new faces behind Ryan Williams and “I’ve gotten better at pass coverage and playing Darius Hypolite.”

7-on-7 has helped,” Bolling said. “It’s kept my mind right In addition to Patterson, Williams and returning and I see the field better.” quarterback Joe Gonzalez, Phillips and his staff have Williams, an all-district performer in 2013, can offer other talented players on the Longhorns’ roster. On the tips to playing good pass defense. offensive line will be senior guard Xavier Brown.

“You can’t keep your eyes on the quarterback,” he “This is my first year playing O-line so I’m trying said. “You must stick with the receiver no matter where to understand it more and get better at my position,” they go on the field. You have to be disciplined in the Brown said. “During these summer workouts I’m trying coverages and always stay in your zone.” to improve my work ethic and stamina along with getting Dobie will be in hot pursuit of a fifth consecutive stronger and faster. We want to get better and stronger trip to the postseason out of District 22-6A. Other schools going into the 2014 season.” include Manvel, Pearland, Dawson, Pasadena Memorial, Dedrick Simpson is a junior who will be manning an Pasadena, Alvin, South Houston and Sam Rayburn.

JULY 3 | 2014 | DEFENDER

sportsbriefs Houston duo places second The Texas Student Angler Federation high school tandem of Michael Snook (Humble) and Josh Perrin (Houston) placed second at the 2014 Texas State High School Fishing Open on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Snook and Perrin brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 16 pounds, 14 ounces. First place went to Dillon Harrell (Porter) and Brendan Reavis (Corrigan) who brought a five-bass limit totaling 22 pounds, 11 ounces to the scale. Third place went to Hunter Curry (Broaddus) and Josh Russell (San Augustine) with five bass weighing 15 pounds. The top three teams advance to the High School Fishing Southern Conference Championship held on the Red River in October. The top 10 percent of the conference championship will advance to the national championship in the spring of 2015. The national champs each receive a $5,000 college scholarship.

Junior golfers get pro help The Spring-based Southern Texas PGA (STPGA) has partnered with Texas Golf Association Premier Junior Golf to bring TGA’s innovative player pathway to the STPGA and seamlessly transition new and current golfers from Houston area high schools to STPGA programs, tournaments and PGA professionals at golf courses. “The goal is to grow junior golf in south Texas,” said Thomas Hutton, director of junior golf for the STPGA. “If we are able to successfully transition juniors from golf in schools to golf at facilities and tournaments with PGA professionals, our game has a very bright future.” The partnership will target students from schools and community center programs.

Griner throws ‘block party’ Most experts thought Brittany Brittney Griner would be a force in the WNBA and in her second season with the Phoenix Mercury has proven them right. Griner recently set a WNBA single-game record with 11 blocked shots in an 80-77 win against the Tulsa Shock. Lisa Leslie and Margo Dydek shared the previous record with 10. “I knew I had a couple of blocks, but I didn’t know how many,” Griner said. “To do that is pretty big, now I guess I have to try to beat it.” The Houston native also had 21 points, 8 rebounds and a steal to go with the 11 blocks.

Astro Altuve sets record Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is quietly making a case as one of the most dynamic offensive threats in Major League Baseball. He is at or near the top in the AL in hits (116) and batting average (.347). He also leads the AL in stolen bases. Recently Altuve set a record with multiple steals in four straight games. He has the franchise record and leads the league with nine such games this season. He is only the third player in modern MLB history with multiple steals in four straight games, the last being Cleveland’s Ray Chapman in 1917. “I feel great about my speed out there, and it’s got me looking toward the next base more often,” he said.

Altuve was named to the All-Star game in 2012 and is a lock to be included again this season.

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Summer Season Premiere

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• reception • “Each of us has a story to tell.”

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The Power Center 12401 S. Post Oak, Southeast Ballroom, Houston, Texas 77045

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