Houston Defender: July 17, 2014

NEWSTALK

DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS URGED TO FILE PROTECTIVE ORDERS, P2 defendernetwork.com

facebook.com/DefenderNetwork

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 83 | Number 36

JULY 17, 2014 |FREE

www.defendernetwork.com

twitter.com/DefenderNetwork

NEWSTALK

KATHY TAYLOR presents H PAGE 4

PERRYE TURNER leads FBI in Houston

P2 NATIONAL MICHAEL LOMAX under fire for donation

P3 SPORTS TREVOR ARIZA returning to Rockets

P10

Arne Duncan

stresses education U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan calls education the civil rights issue of our time. What does he believe the nation must do to help all students reach their potential?

Why is there good news and bad news for students of color? What are the top concerns?

H PAGE 6

Princess Jackson

CHAG’S PLACE

gives back

At the age of 11, Princess Jackson is working hard to help the less fortunate. See how her efforts to “sock out poverty” are touching countless Houston-area lives. Read about her interesting background. Find out how she plans to expand her program.

H PAGE 8

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

State Rep. Harold Dutton and Hiawatha Johnson Jr. at Black Professional Cowboys & Cowgirls Assn. gala

P12

2

DEFENDER | JULY 17 | 2014

newstalk

New special agent leads Houston’s FBI FBI Director James B. Comey has named Perrye K. Turner special agent in charge of the FBI’s Houston Division. He most recently served as special agent in charge of the Louisville Division.

Turner became a special agent with the FBI in 1991 and was assigned to the Birmingham Division.

Four years later, he transferred to the New Orleans Division.

In 1999, Turner was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Criminal Investigation Division at FBI HeadPerrye K. Turner quarters in Washington, D.C. He transferred to the Jackson Division in 2001 and was later promoted to assistant special agent in charge in the Memphis Division.

In 2010, Turner returned to FBI Headquarters as deputy assistant director of the Information Technology Engineering Division.

Turner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and statistics from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from Belhaven University.

defendernetwork.com

Houston domestic violence victims get help

By CIERRA DUNCAN Defender

T

he Harris County District Attorney’s office is reaching out to victims of domestic violence to help ensure their safety. County D.A. Devon Anderson recently released a new public service announcement video featuring information on protective orders.

“Domestic violence is a serious problem in our community,” Anderson said. “Our office will continue to prosecute the batterers and ensure justice for all victims. In light of recent cases, we want victims of domestic violence to know there are options and that protective orders can save lives.”

The problem of domestic violence hit home following the recent arrest of 33-year-old Ronald Lee Haskell for the murder of his ex-wife’s sister, her husband and their four children in Spring, Texas. Haskell had a history of domestic violence during his marriage, forcing his own wife and children to flee to Texas.

When Haskell couldn’t find his wife, he gunned down Stephen and Katy Stay and their children. Their 15-year-old daughter Cassidy Stay survived the attack and alerted authorities A protective order is a civil lawsuit where the state must prove that domestic violence has occurred in the past and is likely to occur in the future. The legal process of obtaining a protective order can take up to four weeks, but in urgent situations a judge may issue a temporary protective order.

Once granted, most protective orders are effective for two years. The order is enforceable in all 50 states and prevents the abuser from going to certain places, such as the victim’s home or workplace, and from communicating with the victim in a threatening or harassing way. If the abuser violates this order, they can be arrested and charged with a criminal offense.

The PSA is posted on the District Attorney’s Office website at app.dao.hctx.net.

For more information call (713) 755-5888 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

localbriefs A HOUSTON TEENAGER who said she was raped at a party hopes that going public with her story will bring the rapist to justice.

The 16-year-old, identified as Jada, told her story to KHOU. She said she and another girl were drugged and sexually assaulted at a house party in June and did not learn about it until the alleged attackers posted images of the assault on social media. Some teens have since been photographed lying on the floor, cruelly imitating Jada’s prostrate body. The Houston Police Department is investigating the case, but will not comment since it involves juveniles……..

STATE REP. GARNET COLEMAN is asking Gov. Rick Perry to issue a disaster declaration in response to the number of immigrant children seeking refuge in the U.S. He said that Perry has already directed an additional $1.3 million per week to increase border security. “So I call on Governor Perry to recognize this crisis for what it is – a humanitarian one – and use his authority to direct additional resources to ensure that these children are safe and in good conditions until their cases are adjudicated,” Coleman said……..

STATE SEN. RODNEY ELLIS is displeased with a recent split decision by the U.S. Court of

Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which ruled that Texas must issue Confederate battle flag license plates. “I’m extremely disappointed that the state of Texas has been ordered to issue license plates with the Confederate battle flag,” Ellis said. “The battle flag is a symbol of Ku Klux Klan repression and violence, not heritage.” Ellis is urging Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court “so that Texas is not put in the position of issuing statesanctioned license plates glorifying oppression and bigotry.” He said the symbol is unworthy of the state’s honor.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

JULY 17 | 2014 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs A COALITION OF YOUNG PEOPLE marked the one-year anniversary of the acquittal of George Zimmerman by launching a new freedom movement. Zimmerman was found not guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin last July 13. The coalition, known as Freedom Side, is comprised of leaders from the Dream Defenders, United We Dream, Black Youth Project 100 and other grassroots organizations based in communities of color. Freedom Side kicked off its summer-long campaign with a silent march in Nashville. The march was designed to bring awareness of such issues as school discipline, racial profiling and the mass criminalization of undocumented immigrants. Freedom Side will focus local campaigns in four states – Texas, Mississippi, Florida and Ohio……..THE U.S. SENATE CONFIRMED San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro as the new secretary of Housing and Urban Development by a vote of 71-27.

Castro, 39, served as mayor for three terms, and was keynote speaker at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Castro’s twin brother, Joaquin, is a San Antonio congressman. Both brothers are considered rising stars in the Democratic Party……..THE HOUSING MARKET remains troubled by rising prices and higher interest rates according an annual report compiled by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. The State of the Nation’s Housing 2014 also addressed issues facing minorities. According to the report, “Millions of homeowners, particularly in minority and highpoverty neighborhoods, are still underwater on their mortgages, while millions more renters have been forced to live in housing they cannot afford or is structurally inadequate. And with the ongoing growth in low-income households, housing assistance reaches a shrinking share of those in need.” Nearly 41 million households are now paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing, one million more than last year. A household is considered “burdened” when monthly housing costs exceed 30 percent of income.

VOLUME 83 • NUMBER 36 JULY 17, 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).

3

Union withdraws UNCF support over Koch gift

L

NNPA News Service

ee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, has discontinued scholarships to the United Negro College Fund because it accepted a $25 million donation from ultra-conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch.

According to officials with the labor group, AFSCME has provided annual scholarships and Michael Lomax aid packages worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to UNCF. Saunders, an African-American, said in a stinging letter to UNCF President Michael Lomax that he was “deeply troubled” when UNCF accepted the Koch donation, and even more shocked when Lomax attended a Koch brothers’ event in California.

“This was a betrayal of everything the UNCF stands for. The avowed purpose of this private event was to build support — financial and political — for the Koch brothers’ causes. Your apLee Saunders pearance at the summit can only be interpreted as a sign of your personal support and the UNCF’s organizational support of the Koch brothers’ ideological program,” Saunders wrote.

“The Koch brothers and the organizations

they fund have devoted themselves for more than a decade to attacking the voting rights of African Americans,” Saunders continued. “They support voter identification laws. They seek to restrict early voting and voter registration. They support laws that threaten organizations that register voters in the AfricanAmerican community.”

Charles and David Koch have been criticized for supporting the American Legislative Exchange Council, the driving force behind voter ID laws in the U.S. ALEC also worked with the National Rifle Association on stand-your-ground legislation that gained notoriety following the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

In response to Saunders’ letter, Lomax and UNCF issued a statement touting UNCF’s successful efforts in sending underprivileged students to college, while recognizing the incredible need for resources that often goes unmet.

Lomax wrote that although he was “saddened by AFSCME’s decision, it will not distract us from our mission of helping thousands of AfricanAmerican students achieve their dream of a college degree and the economic benefits that come with it.”

Partnership promotes spending with Blacks NNPA News Service

The U.S. Black Chambers (USBC) and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers (NABHOOD) are formally partnering to ensure that a significant portion of the billions African-Americans spend each year on travel and tourism remains in Black hands.

The partnership was recently launched at the start of USBC’s professional development conference, held at the Marriott Marquis in D.C. The new, four-star hotel, next to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, was jointly financed by Capstone Development, a Black-owned development firm.

“Today is about more investment in the hotel

and travel industry,” Ron Busby Jr., USBC president, said at a press conference. “As African-Americans, we have conferences, events, weddings, and vacations, always with white-owned establishments. I think we can bring some of that money back to us.”

A Nielsen study conducted in cooperation with the National Newspaper Publishers Association found that African-Americans spent 40 billion each year on the travel and tourism industries last year.

Andy Ingraham, president and CEO of NABHOOD, said few of those dollars turn over in the Black community.

NABHOOD counts more than 500 Black-owned hotels and hospitality venues in the U.S. They are listed on the organization’s website, www.nabhood.net.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

4

DEFENDER | JULY 17 | 2014

defendernetwork.com

entertainment

Kathy Taylor presents...

F

By LAGLORIA WHEATFALL Defender

or the past 25 years, noted Houston gospel artist Kathy Taylor has served God by serving His people as minister of music at Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

Taylor is also a songwriter, producer and community activist who makes music that “inspires, encourages, uplifts and heals the spirit and soul of mankind.” She travels across the country performing at concerts, conventions and churches.

In February she co-starred in the Texas Southern University production of the gospel musical “Crowns.” In addition, Taylor is founder of Katco Arts Academy, a summer youth program committed to empowering socially and economically challenged youth.

Taylor began her recording career as a soloist with the legendary James Cleveland’s Gospel Music of America and the Mass Choir. She founded the singing ensemble Kathy Taylor and Favor, known for its breathtaking harmonies.

Taylor recently released the debut album on her record label, Katco Music Group. It’s titled “Kathy Taylor Presents…

Spirit of a Grateful People Windsor Village Church Family Worship & Arts Ministry.”

“This is a family album,” she said. “There is music for every generation from the grandmother to the

grandbaby.” Here, Taylor talks about being grateful, among other things.

Defender: What message do you want people to take from the new album?

Taylor: We just want to rise up and let the world know that we have a spirit of a grateful people regardless of everything that’s going on. God is working and working well here on earth and we are

grateful.

Defender: What is the importance of community involvement as it relates to Katco Arts Academy?

Taylor: Katco is one of my efforts in which I try to reach back to the community and to the generations behind me. When I was growing up, the whole village raised me. So I feel that now that I have a platform where I can reach back and be a blessing to not only singers but also to youth in general.

Defender: Who were some of your musical influences?

Taylor: My first musical influence was my mother. She was a pianist at a local church and her prayer was that one of her kids would be a musician and a singer. And she said that one day, while she was on her knees praying about it, I was on the piano singing really loud, playing the piano and the Lord told her I was the answer to her prayers.

So I have to say my first influence was my mother. And my godmother who is still living today, Ella Mae Jefferson. I certainly love some of my comrades, Donald Lawrence, Kirk Carr, the Clark Sisters, V. Michael McKay, [the late] Hank Neal, Ronald Materre. I’ve gotten a little bit from everybody.

Defender: What advice would you give aspiring gospel singers?

Taylor: First, know the God Who you’re who trying to sing about. Second, live the life that God requires. Third, be open to stretch beyond what you can see. Just allow God to elevate you. Understand the business, but allow God to elevate you.

what’sup TRACY MORGAN smiled and flashed a peace sign to photographers outside of his home recently. “I’m okay,” he said. “I love you very much. Thank you. I appreciate everything.” It was one of Morgan’s first appearances since he was critically injured in a June 7 car accident that killed another comedian, JAMES McNAIR. Morgan, who starred in “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live,” suffered a broken leg, broken nose and broken ribs.

He is out of rehab and will continue to recover at home. He is filing a lawsuit against Walmart for negligence leading to the accident, which took place when one of the store’s trucks slammed into the limousine in which Morgan was riding……..“Extant,” the new CBS science fiction drama starring HALLE BERRY, delivered the summer’s largest audience for a scripted series premiere and opened as

the top new scripted series of the summer in key demos.

It is produced by STEVEN SPIELBERG’S Amblin Television and CBS Television Studios. Berry portrays an astronaut who returns home from a year-long solo mission in space and tries to reconnect with her husband and son.

“I’m always on the lookout for amazing roles and when you see material that contains [such] nuances and complexity it compels me to run toward it no matter the medium,” Berry said……..QUEEN LATIFAH will star in and executive produce the HBO film “Bessie,” which tells the story of iconic blues singer BESSIE SMITH. The film is currently in production in Atlanta and will debut in 2015. It focuses on Smith’s transformation from a struggling young singer into one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s. MICHAEL K. WILLIAMS stars as Bessie’s

husband, Jack. KHANDI ALEXANDER plays Bessie’s big sister, Viola. Mike Epps plays Richard, a bootlegger and romantic interest. MO’NIQUE portrays blues legend MA RAINEY and CHARLES S. DUTTON portrays Ma Rainey’s husband, William “Pa” Rainey…….BOBBY BROWN quit the New Edition reunion tour for medical reasons. He reportedly had “an intrusive medical procedure” and needed to be under a doctor’s care. Brown was exhausted and fatigued and could not perform onstage.

“I apologize to the fans of New Edition,” Brown said. “I really wanted to be with my brothers, but presently I am unable to give the fans what they typically expect from New Edition.” The group’s other members are JOHNNY GILL, RON DEVOE, RICKY BELL, RALPH TRESVANT and MIKE BIVINS.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

JULY 17 | 2014 | DEFENDER

UT affirmative action plan upheld The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the University of Texas at Austin’s affirmative action program, a year after the U.S. Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower court for consideration.

UT President Bill Powers said the university is pleased with the court’s ruling recognizing the constitutionality of its admissions policy.

“We remain committed to assembling a student body at the University of Texas at Austin that brings with it the educational benefits of diversity while respecting the rights of all students,” Powers said.

“This ruling ensures that our campus, our state and the entire nation will benefit from the exchange of ideas and thoughts that happens when students who are diverse in all regards come

Black Dollar Project targets consumers By 2017, African-American buying power is estimated to reach $1.3 trillion. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 61, 457 Blackowned businesses were in the Houston, Sugar Land and Baytown metropolitan areas in 2007, nearly double the number in 2002.

In order to improve such statistics, Texas business owners have started the Black Dollar Project, an initiative that encourages Black consumers to spend money with Black businesses.

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil, senior vice president of U.S. strategic community alliances and consumer engagement at Nielsen, was guest speaker at the project’s launch in Houston. She encouraged consumers to conduct research before spending money with a business.

“We must learn to be conscious consumers,” she said.

“If you start off as a conscious consumer it can only help you with your business. Every day we are giving our money to complete strangers when we shop and pay bills, without taking time to get to know them.”

Irvin Ashford Jr., senior vice president of public affairs at Comerica Bank, said its “logical, sensible and smart” for Blacks to spend money and buy goods within their community. “You should use the tools that are available to you,” he said.

“We are presently experiencing an epidemic in our community,” said Kehlin Farooq of Farooq Holdings, LLC. “We are strangling our economic ability to be a self-sufficient race of people.

No one is killing the Black dollar but African-Americans.”

together in the classroom, at campus events and in all aspects of campus life.”

In the ruling, Judge Patrick Higginbotham wrote, “It is settled that instruments of state may pursue facially neutral policies calculated to promote equality of opportunity among students to whom the public schools of Texas assign quite different starting places in the annual race for seats in its flagship university.”

UT admits most freshmen through a program that guarantees admission to students in roughly the top 10 percent of their high school classes and uses other “holistic” factors, including race, to admit the remainder.

UT’s admission policy was challenged by a white student, Abigail Fisher, who was denied undergraduate admission.

Bill Powers

GET A SHOT GIVE A SHOT ®

Get your whooping cough or meningitis shot, and together we can help provide a lifesaving vaccine to a child in need.

Vaccines subject to availability. Not all vaccines available in all locations. State-, age- and health-related restrictions may apply. Aggregate donation up to $1 million. See Walgreens.com/GoBackHealthy for details.

5

6

DEFENDER | JULY 17 | 2014

centerfold

Rac

T

he U.S. for Civil hensive public sc years.

The Civil Rights 2011-12 school year of Education Secret General Eric Holder The Education D 97,000 of the nation school districts, repr “This data colle on places that are de education for every gaps remain,” Dunc “In all, it is clea distance to go to me ties for every studen Holder discusse disproportionately i “This critical re school discipline po among older student school,” Holder said “Every data poin future potentially di

EDUCATION TODAY’S CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

A

merica recently marked the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender or national origin. The landmark legislation also encouraged the integration of public schools.

Fifty years later, progress has been made in the area of education. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Black and Latino young people are graduating high school and enrolling in college at much higher rates.

In 1950, fewer than 25 percent of young Black adults completed high school. In 2012, almost 70 percent graduated on time. During the same time span, the percentage of young Black adults who earned a bachelor’s degree or higher increased seven-fold, from about 3 percent to 21 percent.

There is still work to be done. The U.S. Office for Civil Rights reports

that, “Great disparities continue to exist for students of color. Young men and students of color face harsher discipline and far greater suspensions beginning as early as preschool. And there are too many racially isolated schools with unequal access to preschool programs, advanced courses, and college counselors.”

Education Secretary Arne Duncan calls education the civil rights issue of our time.

“We must recommit, as a nation, to programs and policies that close opportunity gaps and help all students reach their potential,” Duncan said.

“Only then will we be able to accelerate our nation’s economic progress, increase upward mobility, and reduce social inequality for all Americans.

Here, the Defender looks at the problems impacting education and the solutions.

E

As the nation’s o NAACP has fought fo The organization report titled “Finding ship by Educating Al The report offer

Prekindergarten

• Support early providers, such as re adopt quality factors • Encourage loc elementary schools a neighborhoods.

• Support state reach of high-quality care programs and p teachers.

• Bring awarene teachers about the v with children.

• Coordinate lite local community inst ment with the kinder and to facilitate a sm

Effective teachi

• Support collab struggling schools.

• Demand impro sion points along a te

defendernetwork.com • Serving th

defendernetwork.com

7

cial disparities revealed

Department of Education’s Office l Rights released the first comprelook at civil rights data from every chool in the country in nearly 15

s Data Collection (CRDC) from the r was announced by U.S. Department ary Arne Duncan and U.S. Attorney r.

Department compiled data from all n’s public schools and its 16,500 resenting 49 million students. ection shines a clear, unbiased light elivering on the promise of an equal child and places where the largest can said. ar that the United States has a great eet our goal of providing opportunint to succeed.” ed school discipline policies, which mpact students of color. eport shows that racial disparities in olicies are not only well-documented ts, but actually begin during pred. nt represents a life impacted and a iverted or derailed. This administra-

Education Secretary Arne Duncan visits with two children at school.

tion is moving aggressively to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline in order to ensure that all of our young people have equal educational opportunities.”

Data showed that suspended students are less likely to graduate on time and more likely to be suspended again.

They are also more likely to repeat a grade, drop out, and become involved in the juvenile justice system.

Students of color are suspended more often than white students, The report showed that access to preschool programs is not a reality for much of the country. In addition, Black and Latino students are significantly more likely to have teachers with less experience who aren’t paid as much as their colleagues in other schools.

“This rich information allows us to identify gaps and cases of discrimination to partner with states and districts to ensure equal access to educational opportunities,” said Catherine E. Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights.

“From Native American tribal nations to inner-city barrios, all of our children deserve a high quality education.”

CRDC data indicated that the opportunity gap among Americans hurts life-transforming opportunities for children that strengthen and build a thriving middle class. To address such issues, President Barack Obama proposed a new initiative called Race to the Top-Equity and Opportunity.

The initiative would create incentives for states and school districts to drive comprehensive change in how they identify and close opportunity and achievement gaps.

Education concerns & solutions overview

oldest and largest civil rights organization, the or equality for 105 years. on identifies the best practices for education in its g Our Way Back to First: Reclaiming World Leaderll America’s Children.” rs promising solutions under four areas of reform:

en preparation

childhood community-based organizations and eligious institutions and homecare businesses, to s that promote language and literacy development. cal school officials to make connections between and early childhood programs that serve the same

and federal efforts that focus on expanding the y programs, increasing the quality of existing childproviding funding for professional development for

ess to parents, caregivers, childcare workers and value and components of rich, daily conversations

eracy activities among early childhood education, titutions and elementary schools to ensure alignrgarten material children need to be prepared for mooth transition into formal schooling.

ing

borative learning and teaching among teachers in

oved performance-based assessments at key deciteacher’s career path.

U.S. Education Dept. identifies 5 problem areas Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights reveals concerns in five key areas: Access to preschool. About 40 percent of public school districts do not offer preschool, and where it is available, it is mostly partday only.

Suspension of preschool children. Black students represent 18 percent of preschool enrollment but 42 percent of students suspended once, and 48 percent suspended more than once.

Access to advanced courses. Eighty-one percent of AsianAmerican high school students and 71 percent of white high

1 2 3

• Pay focused attention to developing the pipeline that generates future educators.

More time, more learning

• Advocate for broad-based, coordinated, student-centered enrichment that extends beyond the regular school day, year, and curriculum.

• Increase access, enhance quality, and reduce costs associated with expanded learning options.

• Identify agencies and organizations within the community that are providing needed services, prepare an “asset map” of the community, and establish school-community-district partnerships to provide any other critical services not currently available or accessible.

• Advocate for community-school models with wraparound services.

he Houston area for over 80 years

school students attend high schools where a full range of math and science courses are offered. Black students (57 percent), Latino students (67 percent), and English language learner students (65 percent) have less access to a full range of courses.

Access to college counselors. Nationwide, one in five high schools lacks a school counselor; in Florida and Minnesota, more than two in five students lack access to a school counselor.

Retention of English learners. English learners make up 5 percent of high school enrollment but 11 percent of high school students held back each year.

4 5

• Formalize expanded learning within the school.

• Revise school and district improvement plans.

• Include workforce and leadership development skills

Targeted spending for success

• Formalize expanded learning within the school.

• Revise school and district improvement plans.

• Include workforce and leadership development skills • Invest in early childhood education programs.

• Incorporate policies that promote the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers and principals in high-need schools.

• Coordinate education, health, and social services to ensure the most effective use of resources.

• Aggressively and simultaneously pursue school desegregation efforts focusing on both race and socioeconomic status.

8

DEFENDER | JULY 17 | 2014

Princess Jackson is helping the less fortunate by collecting and donating socks.

11-year-old makes difference with socks

A

By JAZZI BLACK Defender

n 11-year-old Houston-area girl with a fondness for socks has collected hundreds of pairs to distribute for a poverty awareness movement she started on her own.

Child actress Princess Jackson partnered with Wal-Mart and a children’s boutique to gather socks for a recent Christmas in July campaign. She collected more than 1,000 pairs, and the effort has been so successful, she is starting a non-profit called Sock Out Poverty.

Princess came up with the idea while volunteering during a blanket drive.

She noticed that a large number of recipients were not wearing socks. She decided to make a difference by raising donations in an effort to “sock out poverty one step at a time.”

Princess’ mother, Phyllis, wasn’t surprised when her daughter chose to make a difference. “We always like to give back to the community,” she said Princess and her mother approached Wal-Mart about setting up a table outside and collecting socks. The store no longer allowed setting up tables as part of its solicitation policy. Instead, the store manager offered to team up with Princess by donating a large number of socks to the campaign.

Little Lord and Ladies children’s boutique heard about the campaign and came on board as a drop-off point to receive socks. Within a short time, Princess had collected 500 pairs of socks and donated them by last Christmas Eve. She continued collecting socks for her recent summer campaign. “People don’t just need socks for the winter; they need socks all year,” she said.

Princess has appeared in talent competitions, acted in schools plays and performs with the Word in Motion inspirational dance company. She has been featured in a national brand campaign for Wholly Guacamole and starred in two short films. She is a student at Sablatura Middle School.

More Texans getting covered More than 80,000 Texans have enrolled in Medicaid this year after the coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act went into effect.

Although Texas did not move forward with Medicaid expansion under the ACA, preliminary data suggests that thousands more Texans have received public health coverage since the health law’s implementation in October.

“Texas has a history of having too many people who are both eligible for health coverage and also uninsured. That’s often because they don’t know that their families qualify for CHIP or Medicaid,” said Mimi Garcia, Texas state director of Enroll America.

“When the Affordable Care Act rolled out, many of these Texans learned about their options and got enrolled in the comprehensive coverage available to them.”

defendernetwork.com

defendernetwork.com

JULY 17 | 2014 | DEFENDER

health

A Defender and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Alliance

9

Why kids need back-to-school health check

By FELICIA WORKENEH, M.D.

V

acations and baseball games may have your calendar full, but don’t forget to make time for those important routine appointments, including your child’s backto-school physical. Many local districts begin school on Aug. 25. So, schedule your child’s appointment now before the rush starts if you want the choice dates and Dr. Felicia Workeneh times.

Whether your child is entering school for the first time or about to graduate, back-to-school time is a good opportunity for parents to check up on their children’s health and help make sure they’re protected against common childhood diseases and illnesses.

Assessing growth and development

A clinical exam by a pediatrician will meet school requirements while checking for health concerns that might interfere with your child’s ability to perform in class. Physical exams allow pediatricians to assess a child or adolescent’s growth and development, height, weight, blood pressure, vision and hearing, as well as nutritional, emotional and

social concerns.

If your child plans to participate in sports, a physical exam by a pediatrician should meet all the requirements for a school’s sports physical.

Note that some fall sports start practices in midAugust, so you’ll want to schedule your child’s physical soon enough to meet those deadlines.

Get immunizations up to date

The back-to-school physical is a good time to get your child current on required immunizations. A pediatrician can check immunization records to determine specific vaccines and doses needed to meet school or state requirements.

Last year, whooping cough reached epidemic proportions in Texas. Also known as pertussis, whopping cough is highly contagious and can cause serious complications in infants, children and adults. It spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The best way to prevent pertussis is to get vaccinated.

The recommended pertussis vaccine for infants and young children is DTaP. This is a combination vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. For maximum protection against pertussis, children need five DTaP shots.

The first three shots are given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.

The fourth shot is given between 15 and 18 months of age.

Early adolescents are due for a booster, Tdap, at 11 years old.

Besides pertussis, students in grades K-12 are required to have the following immunizations: • Polio • Measles, mumps and rubella • Hepatitis B • Hepatitis A • Vericella (chicken pox) • Menigococcal (7th through 12th grade) Although not required by most schools, human papillomavirus vaccination is also recommended for ages 9-26.

Don’t wait until the last minute!

Back-to-school time is a flurry of shopping for new clothes and school supplies. Plan early and book your kids’ appointments well in advance. Your pediatrician will help guide you with recommended doses or boosters your child needs.

This includes the flu vaccine in the late summer or early fall.

Dr. Felicia Workeneh is a board-certified pediatrician at Kelsey-Seybold’s Pearland Clinic. To schedule an appointment with her, call Kelsey-Seybold’s 24-hour Contact Center at 713442-KIDS (5437) or schedule online at kelsey-seybold.com/ NOW with AppointmentsNOW.

Get KelseyConnected

SM

Healthcare that Revolves Around You. KelseyConnected is a smarter approach to your healthcare – because it revolves around you.

As a Kelsey-Seybold patient, your entire healthcare team can share your medical history through one Electronic Medical Record and collaborate on medical care that’s right for you.

Being KelseyConnected makes your experience with us easy and convenient with: ■

■

20 Locations close to home and work. Choose the location most convenient for you at kelsey-seybold.com/Locations.

24-Hour Nurse Hotline. Speak with a Kelsey-Seybold nurse, anytime day or night, seven days a week.

■

MyKelseyOnline. Email your doctor’s office, make appointments, refill prescriptions, view test results and more.

■

Multiple Specialties and Diagnostics.

Comprehensive care under one roof.

■

Kelsey Pharmacy. Available onsite at many locations.

24-Hour Appointment Scheduling: 713-442-0000 | kelsey-seybold.com KS_Defender Pub Ad_1270-AK.indd 1

2/11/14 10:42 AM

10

DEFENDER | JULY 17 | 2014

defendernetwork.com

sports

Rockets come up short in sweepstakes

By MAX EDISON Defender

T

he Houston Rockets and GM Daryl Morey stepped into the batter’s box of free agency and swung for the fences. Instead of a home run, the ball was caught at the wall for a towering out.

Three times the Rockets took trips to the plate and they wound up 1 for 3. Instead of a home run with Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh they settled for a solid single, acquiring small forward Trevor Ariza. Now the question is, did the team do enough to advance them through the first round of the NBA playoffs?

For Morey, the objective heading into the free agency period was simple – build a championship roster.

“We’re just focused on winning the title here,” Morey said. “We’re very disappointed about being eliminated in the first round. We’re not trying to make a team that gets to the second round and loses. We’re not trying to make a team that gets to the third round and loses.

“We’re trying to make an NBA champion. It’s very clear what that takes. If you look through history it takes at least three elite players, with just a few exceptions. That’s what we were focused on putting together.”

The Rockets had high expectations of landing a premier free agent. The names most commonly kicked around were Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. They cleared salary cap space by trading back- up center Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans.

When they appeared on the verge of luring Miami power forward Bosh, they traded back-up point guard Jeremy Lin to the Lakers.

One got the impression it wouldn’t be a smooth voyage when the Dallas Mavericks made a stunning, three-year, $45 million offer to Rockets restricted free agent Chandler

Rockets GM Daryl Morey remains enthusiastic after the team came up short in free agency.

Parsons, who made just under a million dollars last season. To complicate matters, the Rockets only had three days to decide if they would match the offer.

When the dust settled the Rockets were unsuccessful in landing one major deal for a prime time talent.

“It was a tough weekend,” Morey conceded. “A lot of tough things happened, a lot of tough decisions had to be made. We were very close to what we thought was the best team in the NBA. ” The Parsons loss will be mitigated by the one free agent success, reacquiring small forward Trevor Ariza.

Ariza was with the team for one season in 20092010. The stats for Ariza and Parsons last season were virtually identical, but there is one difference – Ariza is an outstanding defender.

“We love the fit with Trevor Ariza,” Morey said.

“Last time we had to make a change when the Yao [Ming]-Tracy [McGrady] core was broken up. We felt like we had to move into a different mode, but we always believed in Ariza. Nearly every championship team has a wing defender if you go back in history, and we think he’s one of the best.

“He’s still young, he’s improved his 3-point shooting in a big way and he’s a perfect fit next to James Harden. Last year our perimeter defense was not very good, now three of our five starters are elite defenders.”

The setbacks haven’t dimmed Morey’s enthusiasm to improve the team.

“We’re still very well-positioned,” Morey said. “We have two of the top 10 players in the league. We’ve got a great young core. We were the youngest playoff team in the NBA last year and we’re only going to get better.”

Trevor Ariza, who played with the Rockets for one season, is returning.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

h.s.zone Concussions problem for more Black youth

D

NNPA News Service

espite the flurry of news about NFL lawsuits over concussions, the problem affects far more athletes at the high school and junior high school level.

In 2009 alone, nearly 250,000 youth ages 19 or younger were treated in emergency rooms for sports and recreation-related injuries that included concussions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between 2001 and 2009, the rate of such visits rose 57 percent.

Concussions occur when the brain is shaken violently against the skull. Although concussions are the most common brain injury, widespread awareness and concern about this issue in the world of student athletics is fairly recent.

But it is especially relevant for Black communities, particularly young men most likely to die from traumatic brain injuries, according to the CDC. And according to data from research nonprofit, Child Trends, 50 to 60 percent of Black American highschoolers were on a sports team in 2011.

In severe or untreated cases, concussions can cause brain damage, seizures, emotional distress or death.

“From an athletic trainer perspective concussions have always been a big concern. Coaches seemed to think that injuries increased because [athletic trainers] were there, but really it’s that awareness is increased,” says Jennifer Rheeling, a D.C. trainer and chair of the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee for the D.C. State Athletic Association.

“In the last five years particularly with the NFL starting to talk about it, and the lawsuits, has helped immensely now that people get it on a mainstream level. What they thought was just get-

ting their bell rung was really a concussion.”

On the most diligent and well-resourced student teams, players take baseline tests – a battery of motor skill drills and survey questions to record their individual peak cognitive health – and have athletic trainers who check for signs of decline.

If a concussion is suspected, a player does another test to compare those results to his or her baseline. The ImPACT Concussion Management program is currently the program of record for these tests among school athletic programs.

But according to Dr. Vernon Williams, neurologist and medical director of the Sports Concussion Institute, a lack of access to care compounds the problem. ImPACT, for example, costs a minimum of $400 per year for 100 baseline tests and 15 post-injury tests for one school.

Meanwhile, many schools and school districts, largely populated by Black and brown children, routinely have to make cuts to balance their budget.

Dr. Gary Harris, who specializes in computer engineering and serves as associate provost at Howard University, is working with engineering students and the Bison football team to devise an inexpensive concussion monitoring system.

The project uses a computer chip attached inside the helmet that measures impact up to 100 gs of force. Concussions usually happen with collisions between 80 and 120 gs.

The chip, which costs about $30, records the force of impact for every collision. It can be programed to transmit this information wirelessly, say, to a cell phone app. Or, it can be downloaded from the helmet using a USB cable. It can also be programed to send an alert when a hit exceeds a certain threshold.

JULY 17 | 2014 | DEFENDER

11

sportsbriefs Johnson coming or going?

With roughly a week to go before Texans training camp begins on July 26, the biggest question is whether Andre Johnson will be there. Johnson, the most acclaimed player in franchise history, has not participated in any of the teams organized offseason workouts, voluntary or mandatory. Reports have surfaced that Johnson is still frustrated by the 2-14 season in 2013 and is not enamored at the thoughts of enduring yet another Texan rebuilding campaign.

There have been reports that No. 80 is seeking a trade and still other reports claim the Pro-Bowl wideout is hoping to recoup the millions of dollars he forfeited for not participating in the offseason workouts. After 11 seasons, Johnson is still an elite talent at his position, but the team does not need the distraction as they prepare for year one of the Bill O’Brien regime.

Boxer Lara robbed?

Houston based junior middleweight Erislandy Lara lost a controversial split decision to Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs) in Las Vegas recently. Lara (192-2, 12 KOs), a former Cuban amateur sensation, is trained by legendary trainer Ronnie Shields. By all accounts Lara dominated the fight from start to finish. The scoring by judges Levi Martinez (117-111) and Dave Moretti (115-113) scored it for Alvarez while Jerry Roth (115-113) had it for Lara. Alvarez, Mexico’s biggest box office draw, is best known to American fight fans as the guy who was befuddled and dominated by Floyd “Money” Mayweather last September.

Rockets rookie shines It hasn’t been a great series of Summer League games for the Rockets, but the brightest star has clearly been rookie point guard Nick Johnson. The second-round draft pick has shown the ability that made him the PAC-12 Player of the Year while at Arizona last season. The nephew of former Boston Celtic great Dennis Johnson, Nick has shown tremendous athleticism, a good handle and the desire to play defense. He averaged 15.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game during play in the Orlando league. He capped off last week with a brilliant 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assist triple double against the Nets squad. Barring trade possibilities Johnson figures to compete with secondyear point guard Isaiah Canaan for the back-up spot behind Patrick Beverley now that Jeremy Lin has been traded.

UH Cougars acknowledged With college football preseason workouts approximately a month away, the watch list for many national post-season awards is starting to take shape and Houston Cougar players are in the mix. Junior wide receiver Deontay Greenberry and sophomore quarterback John O’Korn were both named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award is one of postseason player of the year honors. Senior center Bryce Redman has been named to the Rimington Trophy watch list. The Rimington is symbolic of the nation’s best interior lineman.

Junior defensive back Trevon Stewart has been named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list. The Thorpe is normally presented to the nation’s top defensive back.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

12

DEFENDER | JULY 17 | 2014

defendernetwork.com

For Event Coverage...visit

defendernetwork.com

National president Katie Roberson and chapter president Maggie Broussard

Judy Edwards and Eva Bolter

Dr. Lovell A. Jones and Dr. Louis W. Sullivan

Kelly Hodges and Dr. Louis Sullivan

Honoree Sonceria Messiah Jiles and Dena Hawkins

chag’splace

Shirley Hayes, Lou Washington, Mary Reescano and Beatrice Thierry

Linda Fleisher, Col. (Ret) James E. Williams Jr. and Dr. Patricia Bradley

Honoree State Rep. Harold Dutton and Hiawatha Johnson Jr.

DREXEL SOCIETY/NORTH HOUSTON CHAPa fun-filled afternoon. Continued success!......SOCIAL TER…..”Women Wearing Hats of Distinction” was JUSTICE WORKSHOP…..The 12th Annual Disthe theme of the 8th Annual Parade of Hats and Salads parities in Health in America: Working Toward Social luncheon sponsored by the North Justice was held in Houston at Prairie Houston Chapter of the Drexel SociView A&M University College of Join Yvette Chargois ety, Inc. The event was held at Our Nursing in the Texas Medical Center.

Mother of Mercy Catholic Church The six-day workshop’s goal was to Events of the Week More photos on defendernetwork.com located in the heart of Fifth Ward. provide participants with a comIn addition to the fabulous hats and prehensive understanding of health See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. delicious salads, the afternoon indisparities, of means to enhance cluded guest speaker Eva Volter and a health equity and of the bio-psychofashion show. The Drexel Society is a social approach in addressing health national corporate service organization that was founded disparities in a minority and the medically underserved in 1978. The members of this organization are Catholic populations. Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, former U.S. women who render service to the church and humanity secretary of Health & Human Services, delivered the through sacrifice, dedication, love, service and devotion keynote address. Other speakers included Dr. Louis in memory of Saint Katherine Drexel. Many thanks to Cifuentes, Channte J. Keith, Congresswoman Sheila chapter president Maggie Broussard, national president Jackson Lee, Dr. Robert Robbins and Dr. Alicia D. Katie Roberson, Shirley Hayes, Lou Washington, H. Monroe. We salute event chair Dr. Lovell A. Jones Mary Reescano, Beatrice Thierry and all members for and co-chair Dr. Betty N. Adams for their dedication

Wayne and Isabella Vital (Event photos by Michele Eaglin)

in addressing health disparities affecting minorities and the medically underserved. Continued success to you also!.....COWBOYS & COWGIRLS……..The Black Professional Cowboys and Cowgirls Association (BPCCA) hosted their 15th annual awards gala by honoring Defender CEO & Publisher Sonceria “Sonny” Messiah Jiles and State Rep. Harold Dutton with the 2014 Trail Blazers Award. They also awarded nine graduating high school seniors from around the Houston area with scholarships. The scholarship recipients included Erin Breaux, Brandon Darjean, Adam DeBose, Kolin Doyle, Jaycelyn Jefferson, Briana Madox, Caleb Pete, Amber Rogers and Jamey Watts.

The organization has several events during the year and their vision is to host the largest African-American event in the Houston area and highlight the rich culture and traditions of Black cowboys and cowgirls. Kudos to chapter president Dwight Judge and all BPCCA members. Congratulations!......From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years