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Volume 84 | Number 34 JULY 23, 2015 | FREE
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ENTERTAINMENT SE7EN THE POET performs at heritage festival
P5 SPORTS KEVIN SUMLIN ready for new season
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HS ZONE
HOUSTON RALLIES,
INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY H PAGE 2
Annette Cluff indicted by jury
Alzheimer’s priorities
Varnett Public School founder Marian Annette Cluff and her husband Alsie are in trouble after a federal grand jury returned a 19-count indictment against them. See how much money they are accused of embezzling from the school.
Alzheimer’s disease impacts AfricanAmericans two times greater than whites. Check out Houston’s efforts to promote awareness. Read about an Alzheimer’s play coming to town. Learn why Black participants are needed for clinical trials.
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ROBERT BROWN leads PV coaches’ group
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TOP EVENTS
awareness, research
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Bishop James Dixon II, Sonny Messiah Jiles and Jodie Jiles at Alzheimer’s community luncheon
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DEFENDER | JULY 23 | 2015
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Houston rallies for Bland, seeks answers
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By LAGLORIA WHEATFALL Defender
ocal activists gathered in downtown Houston to rally for justice in the mysterious death of Sandra Bland. The National Black United Front (NBUF) led the protest, with supporters chanting the trending hashtag, “What happened to Sandra Bland?” The protest occurred as the dashcam video of Bland’s July 10th traffic stop was being released. “We’re here because we want answers for her death,” said Jinaki Muhammad, national rights vice co-chair of women’s affairs for NBUF. “We want full and complete transparency and we will support and stand in solidarity with the family of Sandra Bland.” The late Sandra Bland “I am here in commemoration and respect to our dear sister Sandra Bland, who was apparently Demonstrators rally for justice lynched by the system,” said protester Malik Keand seek answers surrounding nyata. “This needs to be brought to justice.” Bland’s death. Bland, a 28-year-old from Naperville, Ill., was found dead in her Waller County jail cell on July 13. Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis said Her death occurred three days after she was stopped Bland’s death is being treated like a murder investigation. A by Department of Public Safety officers for a minor traffic Texas Rangers investigation into her death is being supervised violation, which led to her arrest after allegedly assaulting an by the FBI. officer. State officials are also seeking answers. Lt. Gov. Dan An autopsy determined that Bland hung herself with Patrick and State Sen. Royce West were among those who a plastic garbage bag while in custody. The case has made recently joined Bland’s relatives at PVAMU for a private meetnational headlines, and protests have been held in Waller ing and news conference. County. Facebook video aired of Bland revealing a bout with West sent a letter to DPS Director Steven McCraw redepression. questing the release of the video of Bland being arrested. Bland’s family and friends are disputing the autopsy The dashcam video shows Bland being stopped by Texas finding, and insist that she was upbeat and looking forward to a trooper Brian Encinia for failing to signal a lane change. Encinnew job at her alma mater, Prairie View A&M University.
ia asked Bland to put out her cigarette. Bland refused and the trooper demanded that she get out of the car, opening the door with his taser drawn. The two drifted out of camera view and Encinia claimed that was when Bland assaulted him. A witness captured part of the arrest on his cell phone. Houston protester Gloria Rubac said Bland’s case crosses color lines. “I think that not only the Black community should be enraged, but all communities, Black, white, Latino, should also be because the majority of us are not treated well by the police,” Rubac said. “I hope that we get the truth.”
Former Varnett School officials indicted The founder of Varnett Public Schools and her husband pled not guilty to embezzling more than $2.6 million in school funds. A federal grand jury recently returned a 19-count indictment against Marian Annette Cluff and Alsie Cluff Jr., alleging charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, tax evasion and obstruction of justice. The Cluffs appeared in handcuffs in a federal courtroom, where bail was set at $200,000 each. Annette Cluff founded the charter school in 1984 for inner-city students. Alsie Cluff was the facilities and operations manager. The school now has three campuses and nearly 1600 students. Varnett Public Schools said in a statement that the Cluffs were not associated with VPS during the 2014-2015 school year, and the school has been under new leadership since August 2014. “We are disheartened to learn of the allegations,” said Dr. Margaret Stroud, VPS interim superintendent. “However, we are moving forward and will focus on the four principles of our core beliefs: high student achievement, safety, respect, and common decency.” The indictment alleges that the Cluffs opened four “off-
Marian Annette Cluff and Alsie Cluff Jr. are accused of embezzling Varnett Public School funds.
books” bank accounts in a name similar to VPS. They allegedly concealed the off-books accounts from the charter school office manager, external accountant and their income tax preparer. The Cluffs reportedly embezzled more than $1 million from money orders submitted by parents of students to pay for
field trips and fundraisers. According to the indictment, the couple used money they obtained “to fund their lavish lifestyle of expensive homes, vehicles, around-the-world vacations, expensive clothes, jewelry, and other luxuries.” “We take allegations such as these very seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. “If proven guilty, those found to have taken funds intended for the benefit of students for their personal benefit will be held accountable for their actions.” “Those in positions of public trust must and will be held to higher standards,” added FBI Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners take all allegations seriously and are committed to fighting corruption at all levels.” The Cluffs are also charged with tax evasion of approximately $851,845, which does not include interest and penalties owed to the IRS. If convicted of mail fraud or obstruction of justice, the Cluffs each face up to 20 years imprisonment, while the conspiracy and tax evasion charges carry a possible five-year federal prison sentence. Charges could also result in a possible $250,000 fine upon conviction.
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national
U.S.briefs DYLANN ROOF, the white man charged with killing State Sen. Clementa Pinckney and eight others at a Charleston, S.C. church, will stand trial next year. A judge set a July 11, 2016, trial date for Roof, who faces multiple charges, including nine counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Following the hearing, Roof was denied bond on that grounds that he is a flight risk and a danger to the community. The local prosecutor in the case said it has the potential for a capital case, but the state has not said if it will seek the death penalty…….. HOUSE DEMOCRATS renewed their push for the restoration of a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that was struck down by the Supreme Court two years ago, arguing that Americans’ anger over polarizing symbols such as the Confederate flag should motivate Republicans to take “substantive action” to protect minority voting rights. The newest effort to put pressure on Speaker John Boehner to bring a voting rights bill to the floor came after Republicans pulled a Department of Interior spending bill amid disagreements on whether to allow the display and sale of the Confederate flag on federal sites. “We must have an effective preclearance section to prevent discriminatory election laws from being enacted,” said U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus……..MARIJUANA USE IN TEENS is on the rise, while cigarette use is stable or declining. A study conducted by the Methodology Center at Penn State found that in 1993, Black adolescents were equally likely to use marijuana and cigarettes as whites. In 2013, nearly 19 percent of white teens smoked cigarettes, while almost 22 percent used marijuana. At the same time only about 10 percent of Black teens smoked cigarettes, but nearly 25 percent used marijuana.
VOLUME 84 • NUMBER 34 JULY 23, 2015
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila
Print Editor Marilyn Marshall
Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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Clinton accepts blame for excessive sentences NNPA News Service
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ormer President Bill Clinton said he supported President Barack Obama’s plan to reform the nation’s criminal justice system, and assumed blame for crafting a bill that made matters worse. The remarks came in an address in Philadelphia at the 106th NAACP national convention. “The president spoke a long time and very well about criminal justice reform, and I appreciate what he has done,” Clinton said. “But, here’s what happened when I took office. “We had a roaring decade of rising crime – we had gang warfare on the streets. We had little children being shot dead on the streets who were just innocent bystanders standing in the wrong place. “We had kids in Los Angeles doing drills in their schools to learn how to drop down and get under their desks because of people just doing random drive-by shootings,” Clinton said. “Violent crime had tripled in the previous 30 years and the police force had only increased by 10 percent.” Clinton said 100,000 more police were placed on the streets and the Brady Bill and Assault Weapons Ban were passed. “And we passed funds to give people something to say ‘yes’ to in the after school hours, not just to say ‘no’ to,” Clinton said. “But in that bill,
there were longer sentences. And most of these people are in prison under state law, but the federal law set a trend. And that was overdone. “We were wrong about that. That percentage of it, we were wrong about,” he said. Clinton’s comments were in step with remarks Obama made during his earlier keynote address. Obama noted that incarceration disproportionately impacts communities of color. He said Blacks and Hispanics make up 30 percent of the population but 60 percent of inmates. “Around 1 million fathers are behind bars,” Obama said. “Around one in nine African-American kids has a parent in prison. What is that doing to our communities? What is that doing to those children?”
Lynch tells NAACP ‘our work is not finished’ NNPA News Service
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch pushed the NAACP to keep fighting for equality in education, economics and the criminal justice system during her speech at the organization’s Freedom Fund/ Thalheimer Awards ceremony in Philadelphia. “Your success is legendary,” Lynch told the attendees. “[But] there is so much more to do. Our work is not finished.” She reviewed achievements made under President Obama’s administration as evidence that some progress is being made. One of those achievements was the Supreme Court’s recognition of “disparate impact” in the
Federal Housing Act. With the court’s decision to uphold disparate impact, claims of racial discrimination in housing practices are not restricted to showing intent. She also praised Obama’s efforts to ease mandatory sentencing for non-violent drug crimes. Lynch said reforming the nation’s criminal justice system is a difficult task. “The road ahead will not be easy – it never has been,” she said. “We will face difficult times – we always have. But the beauty of America, the glory of America and the history of America tells us that many of our greatest accomplishments in civil rights, in human rights, come after some of our darkest days.”
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DEFENDER | JULY 23 | 2015
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Jazz festival celebrates 25 years The Houston International Jazz Festival celebrates 25 years of music, artists, education and history this year. The festival, which benefits the non-profit Jazz Education, Inc., will be held Friday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 2 Jazz Education, which was founded in 1970 by Bubbha Thomas, serves nearly 20,000 elementary students in after-school programs year round. The jazz festival is one of the program’s largest fundraisers. “The Houston community is a melting pot celebrating many cultures, and so is jazz,” said Thomas, who is also the festival founder. “It only made sense to make sure we were educatBubbha Thomas ing jazz fans and people who • Aug. 1, Concert, 7 p.m., Bayou were not quite sure about jazz. It’s Music Center, 520 Texas. Artists: exciting how much this festival has Rachelle Ferrell and Los Lonely grown, and continues to grow.” Boys. The festival schedule includes: • Aug. 2, Mayor’s Scholarship • July 31, kick-off party, 5 p.m. to Jazz Brunch, 11 a.m., Wortham The2 a.m., Music World, 2202 Crawford. ater. Artists: Tony Henry, Tim Ned, Ashten For information visit www.housMajors and Tiaramy Maloy. toninternationaljazzfestival.com.
Copeland comes to Houston Misty Copeland, who recently made history as a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, is coming to Houston. A conversation with Copeland will be held Monday, July 27, at 4 p.m. at the Kingdom Builders’ Center, 6011 W. Orem. Copeland became the first female African-American dancer to reach principal dancer status in the 75-year history of the company. Based in New York City, ABT is one of the world’s leading classical ballet companies.
She will be joined locally by former Houston ballet dancer Lauren Anderson. Channel 13’s Melanie Lawson will moderate the discussion and Councilmember Dwight Boykins is the host. Students and youth from various dance companies, school districts and organizations will be in attendance along with others supporters and well-wishers. Sponsors are HEB and the Kingdom Builders’ Center. The event is free and open to the public. For information call 832-393-3001.
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JULY 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER
entertainment
Black heritage festival debuts Aug. 1
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he first annual Black Heritage Music and Arts Festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 1 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Discovery Green in downtown Houston. The entertainment lineup includes R&B group Mint Condition, neo-soul artist Reesa Renee, Se7en the Poet and Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers. Presented by the Foundation for Black Culture & Heritage, the festival will feature educational exhibits, performances, health screenings, a fashion show and family-friendly fun. Parents and children can visit the Youth Empowerment Zone for interactive exhibits, activities and a stage dedicated to young talent. “This festival will promote a vivid expression of who we are as a people by fostering, preserving and showcasing our vibrant legacy,” said festival founder Richard Andrews. “I want attendees to have fun and leave the festival with a renewed spirit that encourages them to be the change they want to see in their community.” The festival will present five scholarships to students attending local area HBCUs and present cancer survivor Kimberly Hill with its Spirit Award, a recognition tied to festival’s mission to “celebrate the essence of the African-American spirit.” After hearing Hill’s story, Andrews was not only moved to honor her, but also grant her one wish – an up-closeand-personal meeting the band she has loved for decades, Mint Condition. “Kimberly is no stranger to beating the odds,” Andrews said. “People need to hear, celebrate and be encouraged by her story of triumph.” For ticket information visit www.houstonblackheritagefestival.com.
Mint Condition
Reesa Renee
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Se7en the Po
what’sup “Saturday Night Live” co-star JAY PHAROAH will star in his first hour-long comedy special on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 9 p.m. on Showtime. Pharoah is an impressionist know for imitating President BARACK OBAMA, WILL SMITH, DENZEL WASHINGTON, CHRIS ROCK and KANYE WEST……..TARAJI P. HENSON of “Empire” and VIOLA DAVIS of “How to Get Away With Murder” can make history. Both women received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. No Black woman has ever won in the category. ANTHONY ANDERSON of “Blackish” and DON CHEADLE of “House of Lies” were nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a
Comedy Series. African-Americans nominated for supporting roles include ANDRE BRAUGHER, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine;” UZO ADUBA, “Orange Is the New Black;” NIECY NASH, “Getting On;” REGINA KING, American Crime; ANGELA BASSETT, “American Horror Story: Freak Show;” and MO’NIQUE, “Bessie.” QUEEN LATIFAH of “Bessie” was nominated as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. CICELY TYSON (“How to Get Away With Murder”) and KHANDI ALEXANDER (“Scandal”) received nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. …….“Empire” creator LEE DANIELS insists he was just having fun after
sharing a profanity-laced Instagram video because the series failed to receive an Emmy nomination for Best Drama. “Some of these people got nothing else better to do than hate on me for having fun,” Daniels said. “I love the Emmys, and I’m excited for my cast and crew that got nominated and for the other people that got nominated. So haters, shut up and go to bed.” The Emmy Awards will air on Sept. 20……..SPIKE LEE wrapped up production of his film “Chi-Raq,” and it has been acquired by Amazon Studios as its first original movie. The film’s cast includes SAMUEL L. JACKSON, COMMON, NICK CANNON, WESLEY SNIPES, JENNIFER HUDSON and ANGELA BASSETT.
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DEFENDER | JULY 23 | 2015
BLACKS & ALZHE
Awareness, re
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By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
he impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the Black community is cause for concern. Of the 5.2 million Americans with the disease, 1.1 million of them are African-American. While African-Americans make up less than 14 percent of the U.S. population, they bear a third of the cost of Stephanie Monroe Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Nationally, the African American Network Against Alzheimer’s (AANAA) is spreading the word about the disease. AANAA is an initiative of USAgainst Alzheimer’s, and strives to unite and mobilize the Black community to speed the pace of research and build momentum to end Alzheimer’s. Stephanie Mon AANAA arms African-Americans and work Against Alzhe others with information and connections clinical trials. needed to be heard by the public and decision“We want to fin makers. finding a cure is fin Stephanie Monroe, the director of AANAA, said African-Americans shouldn’t ple because we hav “deny” Alzheimer’s. said. “Only 3 perce “They need to be mindful of the American, so we ne symptoms when they begin to see them in Interested Blac themselves or their loved ones, and they need more about the A4 to go to the doctor,” Monroe said. “There who may be at risk are medicines they can get early on to help improve the quality of life.” A2study.org. In Houston, Baylor College of Medicine focuses on the disease through its Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center. strategies. The center provides evidence-based diagnostic and Dr. Rache clinical care, as well as opportunities to participate center and a p in clinical trials for promising therapies. It also importance of contributes to research designed to learn the causes of “Here at B Alzheimer’s and develop new prevention and treatment projects desig
Bl part
Play ‘Forget Me Not’ comes to Hou In an effort to promote awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, Baylor College of Medicine, the African American Network Against Alzheimer’s, Gdavis Productions and the Defender Media Group are teaming up to bring the award-winning play “Forget Me Not” to Houston. It comes to the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 2 p.m. Tickets are free of charge but preregistration is required. “Forgot Me Not” focuses on a family struggling to accept and manage their father’s illness, and has enlightened audiences nationwide about Alzheimer’s disease. Playwright and producer Garrett Davis said he believes in using the performing arts as a vehicle to raise awareness about health issues affecting the Black community. The production features Tony Award nominee Samantha McSwain, Kynya Milam, LaTonya Simms, Daren McGill, Javon Belle, Asia Hargrave and Brandon Scott Johnson.
Davis is CEO and founder of Gdavis Productions, based in Winston Salem, N.C. His urban theater company has produced more than 20 plays, and a personal experience inspired him to write “Forget Me Not.” “My grandmother died from Alzheimer’s disease and my grandmother was the one who raised me,” Davis said. “Coming home from college, and my grandmother not knowing who I was, I didn’t know how to deal with that. “So this play brought closure to that part of my life. The play is not about her life or mine, but it’s about dealing with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s.” How does he feel about the play’s success? “I won’t consider it a success until we find a cure,” Davis said. “I’m happy that the play has raised awareness of this disease and caregiving as we’ve toured the country the last five
years, but w “I hope going to get resources av Stepha “Forget Me “We th Monroe said successful in For inf zheimers.org
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disease,” Doody said. “We are also part of the state funded research consortium to study the conditions from normal aging through Alzheimer’s dementia to develop better ways to diagnose and treat it.” Dr. Caryn Glosch, Ph.D, an assistant professor of neurology at the Baylor center, also shared the good news about research. “We are learning more and more about how this disease works and about the mechanisms that are involved with the Dr. Caryn Glosch Dr. Rachelle Doody disease process. Even through the failures that we have, the teaching is more about how to affect the disease,” Glosch said. “So we’re finding that these therapies and other treatments that we’re using didn’t work in one population or other set of people but if we can start it earlier maybe we can have more impact on the disease and how we’re nroe, director of the African American Nettreating it. We’re making a lot of progress and eimer’s, encourages Blacks to participate in that is a good thing.” Doody added that it’s still unknown why nd a cure for Alzheimer’s, but worse than not Blacks are disproportionately affected by nding a cure that doesn’t work for Black peoAlzheimer’s. ven’t participated in the research,” Monroe “All communities everywhere in the world are susceptible to AD, but people ent of clinical trial participants are Africanwith cardiovascular risk factors, like high eed to get those numbers way up.” cholesterol and diabetes, are at higher risk,” cks between 64 and 85 are urged to learn Doody said. “Associated risk factors may play 4 Study, a clinical trial for older individuals a role in the African-American community.” k for Alzheimer’s. Call 844-247-8839 or visit Glosch wants the Black community to know that Alzheimer’s is a real threat. “It’s not just normal aging and it’s not just senility,” she said. Doody emphasized awareness as well. elle Doody, M.D., Ph.D, director of the “My hope for the African-American community is for professor of neurology, stresses the it to become informed and to filter information for f research. its members so that they, like all of the communities Baylor, we are helping to lead global in Houston, can have the same options for care and gned to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s research,” she said.
ack clinical trial ticipants needed
uston
we still have a lot of work to do. e that those who see the play leave with a new sense of hope saying that they’re more involved with their family and they’re going to get more involved with the vailable to them.” anie Monroe, the director of AANAA, said the organization became involved with Not” to inform and entertain audiences. hought we needed a creative way of reaching the African-American community,” d. “This seemed to be something that would work and it’s proven to be extremely n every city we go into.” formation on “Forget Me Not” tickets visit www.AfricanAmericansAgainstAlg/events or call 202-349-3803.
he Houston area for over 80 years
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Facts & figures • Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of the aging process. It destroys parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, decision-making and behavior. Patients also lose motor abilities like walking and swallowing. The condition is ultimately fatal. • African-Americans are two to three times more likely than non-Hispanic white Americans to develop Alzheimer’s. • Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death overall in the U.S., and the fourth leading cause of death for older African-Americans. • There are medicines that can treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease but there is no cure. It is the only disease in the top 10 that is increasing and the only disease without a drug that can stop its progression, slow it or prevent it. • The majority of Alzheimer’s cases occur in the South based on cost. The economic burden by region is South, 49 percent; Northeast, 20 percent; Midwest, 18 percent; and West, 13 percent. • Alzheimer’s tops the list of the most feared diseases (54 percent), followed by cancer (26 percent), stroke (10 percent) and heart disease (6 percent). Sources: African American Network Against Alzheimer’s, National Institute on Aging
Alzheimer’s discriminates
Prevalence of cognitive impairment
Age
Blacks Other
55-64 4.8% 65-74 12.4% 75-84 32.5% 85+ 54.6% Garrett Davis
1.2% 2.9% 9.8% 26.9%
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DEFENDER | JULY 23 | 2015
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JULY 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER
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MD Anderson ranked No. 1 cancer hospital The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has been named the No. 1 hospital for cancer care in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” survey. MD Anderson has ranked first 11 times in the past 14 years. “We’re honored by this tremendous national recognition, but the true measure of our success is the number of lives we’ve impacted with our care, research and support,” said Ronald A. DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “We owe our gratitude to the more than 20,000 cancer fighters, including world-class faculty and nurses, and 1,000-plus volunteers working every day to end cancer for our patients and others around the world. Our culture of exceptional care and genuine caring is second to none.”
classified TRANSPORTATION JOB FAIR SPONSORED BY
THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Saturday July 25, 2015 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Shadydale Elementary School 5905 Tidwell Road Houston, TX 77016
Two subspecialties also were ranked highly in this year’s survey. In the ear, nose and throat specialty, MD Anderson’s Head and Neck Surgery service was ranked No. 5, the same ranking as last year. In gynecology, its Gynecologic
Oncology and Reproductive Medicine service moved forward one ranking, coming in at No. 7. The specialty rankings are notable because they include care provided at general hospitals across the nation, not just cancer centers.
UH receives bonds for Sugar Land expansion State leaders have paved the way for new construction at the Sugar Land campus of the University of Houston. UHSL received a $54 million allocation in House Bill 100, which Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed, to construct a new 150,000-square foot classroom building. “If UH is going to continue to meet the higher education needs of the Houston area, we need to be building where people live,” said Provost Paula Myrick Short, UH senior vice president for academic affairs. “There is tremendous growth in Fort Bend County. We are grateful for the incredible support of the legislature, which will help further develop this campus and expand higher education opportunities in the region.” The new building, planned to be completed in 2019, will primarily house programs offered by the UH College of Technology. A portion of the college will relocate to Sugar Land, and additional programs in business, education and health-related fields are also expected in the next two to five years. “We will now begin the process of designing
the building and determining its location on campus,” said Richard Phillips, UH System associate vice chancellor for system initiatives.
“While a large part of the building will meet the needs of the College of Technology, we will also be looking at general purpose spaces
that can accommodate the variety of campus needs and expanded programs we will be adding to UH Sugar Land in the coming years.”
HISD WILL BE CONDUCTING IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: School Bus Drivers 15.70 per hour School Bus Mechanics Mechanic Helpers Transportation Attendants Up to $900 Attendance Incentive and $250 Sign On Bonus for new Bus Drivers! Free CDL Training, Guaranteed Route Hours, Flexible schedules, High Tech Buses, Benefits and Retirement available Please bring 2 forms of ID For further information check our website at www.DriveHISD.org or CALL (713) 226-4531 All applicant are subject to verification of work experience, Certification, References, drug testing, and criminal history check, It is the policy of the Houston Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, handicap or disability, ancestry, national origin, marital status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or political affiliation in its educational or employment schedules and activities. Equal Opportunity Employer
Competitive Sealed Proposal Notice for Jack Yates High School Abatement Removal - Demolition (Phase 1) Project Number: 15-07-07 CSP
Houston Independent School District (HISD) The Houston Independent School District will receive Competitive Sealed Proposals from contractors for work at Jack Yates High School. The work includes, but is not limited to, the removal of asbestos-containing materials. Proposal information is due no later than Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Room #C1, Houston, TX 77092. The proposals will be opened and the amounts read aloud. Jack Yates High School is located at 3703 Sampson Street, Houston, Texas 77004. The Request for Competitive Sealed Proposal RFCSP, which includes plans and specifications, will be available beginning Monday, July 20, 2015, and may be obtained from The Thomas Printworks, 4235 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77027, PH: 713-621-0022, Fax: 713-621-2537 upon refundable deposit of $150 for each set of plans and specifications. Documents in portable document format pdf are also available on disk for a deposit of $50.00. Deposit checks should be made payable to HISD. Any questions regarding documents are to be addressed to Moody Nolan Texas LLC, 5177 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77056, Wardell Ross, AIA, wross@moodynolan.com, or Albert Ray, AIA, aray@moodynolan.com PH: 832-530-4570. The Competitive Sealed Proposal process will be utilized as authorized in Senate Bill 1093, Legislative Session 83-2013, Ch. 2269, Subchapter D of Texas Government Code. The Competitive Sealed Proposal process enables HISD to select contractors on the basis of price and qualifications/methodology. M/WBE Forms, schedules and statements, as required by Section AB of the RFCSP, and in accordance with the Office of Business Assistance, will be received at 12:00 Noon, Wednesday, August 12, 2015 (1 day after proposal information), 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Room #C1, Houston, TX 77092. PROPOSALS SUBMITTED WITHOUT M/WBE FORMS PROPERLY COMPLETED WILL BE CONSIDERED NON-RESPONSIVE. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at HISD Construction and Facility Services (CFS), 3200 Center Street, Houston, Texas 77007. For additional information regarding this project, please contact: Raymond Hooks, rhooks @houstonisd.org. Drawings and Specifications for the RFCSP may be reviewed at the following Houston locations: Associated General Contractors, 3825 Dacoma Street, Houston, TX 77092, (713) 843-3700 HISD Construction Services Office (Bond), 3200 Center Street, Houston, TX 77007, (713) 556-9250 McGraw Hill Construction/Dodge, www.construction.com Virtual Builders Exchange, 3910 Kirby, #131, Houston, TX 77098, (832) 613-0201
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DEFENDER | JULY 23 | 2015
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sports
Sumlin’s A&M Aggies gearing up for season
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A&M coach Kevin Sumlin is ready for the new season.
By MAX EDISON Defender
ollege football season is right around the corner, and the nation’s toughest conference, the Southeast (SEC), recently held its media gathering in Hoover, Ala. As the litany of coaches discussed the pros and cons of their respective programs, Texas A&M University head coach Kevin Sumlin intimated that the 2015 Aggies would be a group worth watching. In their first three seasons in the SEC, the Aggies have established themselves as an offensive juggernaut. This season Sumlin gives every indication that we could see a slightly different brand of Aggies on the field. The key off-season acquisitions came in the form of additions to the coaching staff, not players on the field. Highly acclaimed defensive coordinator John Chavis was hired away from LSU and former Utah assistant Dave Christensen assumes the title of offensive line/run game coordinator. In the Aggie vernacular the buzz word for 2015 team will be “physically tougher.” “One of our biggest goals in the off-season was to become a tougher team physically and mentally,” Sumlin said. “In order to do that, you’ve got to practice a certain way. The presentation of the offense to the defense has to have a physical aspect to it. I think we brought that into play with our run game and preparing our defense…” “In a nutshell, that was really the goal in the off-season, really throughout the spring, to become a more physical team and being able to run the ball in a big time league when we want to, not just when we need to,” Sumlin said. The Aggies return sophomore quarterback Kyle Allen, the Auto Zone Liberty Bowl MVP. Allen started the final give games of the season in 2014 as a true freshman, going 3-2. Expect high school phenom Kyler Murray to provide plenty of competiGermain Ifedi is a key tion for the top quarterplayer on the offensive back spot. All Murray line. did in high school was go 43-0 and win three consecutive state
Myles Garrett will make a difference on defense.
titles. He was rated the No. 1 dual threat QB in the nation by ESPN. If you’re talking A&M offense it all begins with the offensive line. With a lineage that includes three consecutive first-round selections in the NFL, word has gotten out that the Aggies keep a stable of versatile linemen and this year is no different. Count on junior Germain Ifedi and senior Mike Matthews to anchor another stellar unit. Defensively is where fans should see an immediate difference in the Aggies’ performance. While at LSU, Chavis-led defenses held the vaunted Aggie offense to under 20 points on three different occasions, all A&M losses.
Sumlin feels the addition of Chavis is a no-brainer. “It’s a great fit for us and a great fit for him,” Sumlin said. “He was ready for a new challenge. We were in the market, obviously, and here’s a guy who’s got a tremendous track record in the SEC and recently in the SEC West. “So his knowledge of opponents, his knowledge of the league helps me as a head coach, but it also helps our team and brings confidence right away to a defense that really needed it,” Sumlin said. Chavis will have a talented, albeit youthful group of players to mold. Otaro Alaka (sophomore), Myles Garrett (sophomore), Julian Obioha (senior), Armani Watts (sophomore) and Donovan Wilson (sophomore) will all be counted on to be difference makers in the Chavis defensive scheme. The Aggies open the season at NRG Stadium on Sept. 5 against Arizona State.
defendernetwork.com PVAMU athlete named Miss Puerto Rico
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JULY 23 | 2015 DEFENDER
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sportsbriefs Rockets land point guard
Robert Brown is PVILCA chairman.
PV coaches’ group thrives
I
By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
t took a historian to recognize the significance of a milestone in the history of the Prairie View InterschoMemorabilia tells the story of the Prairie View Interscholastic lastic League Coaches Association. League Coaches Association. Roland Hayes, the association’s historian, took Wells and Rhome Nixon. the podium at the 36th annual PVILCA Hall of Fame and Brown has overseen the PVILCA’s rise from near life Hall of Honor Banquet and recounted an overview of the support to prominence over the past 11 years. organization since it was formed in 1980 at a meeting held “This is probably one of the best banquets that we’ve in Waco. had,” Brown said. “This was overwhelmingly a success. “Despite good intentions, the PVILCA was all but Next year when the banquet moves to San Antonio, we’ll dead in 2004 when Robert Brown was selected chairman have to secure a larger venue like the convention center.” of the board by the PVILCA Board of Directors,” Hayes Brown, a longtime assistant football coach and head said. “Less than 45 guests attended our first Hall of Honor baseball coach at Houston Sterling High School, cited Banquet 35 years ago. Now we can barely squeeze everyovercoming several obstacles that have led to the organizabody in the room and Robert Brown is the reason why.” tion’s resurrection. An overflow crowd of more than 1,200 wedged into “We wanted to get lifetime members involved and go a banquet room at the Westin Galleria Hotel to honor the statewide,” Brown said. “We have met both of those objec2015 PVILCA Class of Inductees that included three-time tives. We had to get people state championship high to believe in us. In order to school basketball coach accomplish that, we needed Ronnie Courtney (Willowthe involvement of a mixFormer area coach a PVILCA Hall ridge/Ft. Bend Bush), state ture of young and old. of Fame inductee champion track and field “One of our next coach Joseph Richard (Forest objectives is to find a house Brook), coaching stalwarts of our own for the PVILCA memorabilia. The University Nathaniel Gillespie, Andre Boutte and Daryl Glenn along of Texas has bent over backwards to give us a place for our with former Houston Sterling track All-American Meledy memorabilia and we have used it for the last five years.” Smith Price. Brown said another goal is to keep people focused on HISD Athletic Director Marmion Dambrino received the PVILCA. a meritorious award. Lloyd Banks III (Marshall High “This past February we toured East Texas with School), Kendrick Crumedy (Manvel), Ferrin Douglas our memorabilia exhibit,” he said. “We went to Jasper, (Lancaster) and Anthony Morgan (Plano West) were Kountze, Kirbyville, Silsbee and Port Arthur. We traveled selected High School Coaches of the Year. to five schools in seven days. That was an outstanding Raylin Davis (Newton), Christin Green (Port Arthur trip. It motivated people to understand what the PVIL and Memorial) and Diamond Jackson (Kirbyville) were named PVILCA is all about.” PVILCA High School Athletes of the Year. Other notable Brown also credits the support of UIL Executive Dihonorees included Cliff Branch, Tanuya Washington-Worrector Charles Breithaupt and HISD’s Dambrino. “We’re thy, Dwight Davis, Karl Douglas, Jerry LeVias, Warren back on the map,” he said.
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General Manager Daryl Morey’s relentless pursuit for a point guard has finally ended. The Rockets recently completed a trade with the Denver Nuggets to acquire Ty Lawson. The Rockets will send Joey Dorsey, Nick Johnson, Pablo Prigioni and Kostas Popanikolaou, along with a lottery protected first- round pick to the Nuggets. In addition to Lawson, the Rockets will receive a secondround pick in 2017. Lawson was originally drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves (18 th overall) out of North Carolina. He was third in the NBA in assists last season, averaging 9.6, along with 15.2 points per game. As good as he has been on the court, he has personal issues off it. He was recently arrested for the second time in six months for DUI and has entered a 30-day residential treatment program.
Texans host open camps In what is a sure indicator that the NFL season starts soon, the Texans announced the dates fans can view training camp. Six practice sessions will be open to the public at the Houston Methodist Training Center: Aug. 1-3, Aug. 11-12 and Aug. 19. Open practices will begin at 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m. or 6 p.m. Gates will open to fans one hour prior to practice with lines forming on Murworth Drive. Free tickets can be printed from the Texans official website, www.HoustonTexans.com, with a limit of four per person, per practice, while supplies last.
Cypress Ranch cops title In a year where the Cypress Ranch High School football, soccer, basketball, girls’ volleyball and softball teams made history with deep playoff runs, the Mustangs’ baseball team topped them all. The Cypress Ranch baseball program won its second state championship in four years by disposing of Dallas Jesuit (2-1) and Arlington Martin (3-0) in the 2015 Class 6A state baseball tournament in Round Rock. Not bad for a school that opened in 2008. In the title game, Cy Ranch (31-6) scored single runs in the first, third and fifth innings. Senior right-hander Brent Hebert allowed five hits over five innings to earn championship game Most Valuable Player honors. Martin’s best chance came in the fifth inning with runners at the corners and no outs. Hebert struck out Trip White and Mustangs’ catcher Marshall Skinner threw out a runner at second base. A fly ball out ended the threat. “When we needed it, it happened,” said Cypress Ranch coach John Pope. “These kids have worked hard and we’re reaping the benefits of it.”
7-on-7 takes precautions One of the subplots that evolved from this month’s 7-on-7 state high school football tournament in College Station was news of the latest safety precaution. Unequal Halo headgear was selected by the Texas State 7-on-7 Association to offer added head protection for all players in the 128-team tournament. The halo contours to any player’s head and looks like a head band. It reduces serious head-to-head and head-to-ground impacts. World Cup soccer players are currently wearing the halo.
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DEFENDER JULY 23 | 2015
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
topevents
COMMUNITY ALZHEIMER’S LUNCHEON…….. Baylor College of Medicine, Neighborhood Library. Billingsley discussed her newest novel, “Mama’s Boy.” She the African Americans Against Alzheimer’s Network and the Defender held a Houston was joined by her daughter, Morgan Billingsley, co-author of “The Perfect Summer,” Community & Faith Leaders Luncheon at the Power Center. Attendees came together which features stories from a talented trio of young writers. After the audience Q&A, to get information about the effects of Alzheimer’s in the African-American community both authors signed books for fans and supporters. Those in attendance included Tarisa as well as stress the importance of early detection, testing and treatment. The mistress Busby, Meya Smith, Brenda White, Erinn Smith, Erica Smith and other supporters of ceremonies was Defender CEO & Publisher Sonny Messiah Jiles. Presentations and reading enthusiasts........OVIDE DUNCANTELL ROAST & TOAST…….. were made by Dr. Caryn Glocsh and Stephanie Monroe, Celebrating the legacy of a local legendary community activist with a musical performance by David Wyatt of St. John’s Ovide Duncantell, supporters recently came together for a roast Defender TOP EVENTS Downtown UMC and purpose/testimonial by Jodie Jiles. Those and toast at the Communications Workers of America Hall. More photos on defendernetwork.com in attendance included Charlene Hunter James, Dr. Andrew Duncantell is responsible for many community programs such as See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ building the first clinic in District D, and serving as founder and James, Pastor Rudy Rasmus, Bishop James Dixon II, Laurie with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m. executive director of the Black Heritage Society and founder of Robinson, Michael Harris, Darryl Montgomery, Rejeana the MLK Jr. Parade Foundation. Those who helped honor him Warren, Dr. Grace Butler, Sandra Williams, Ida Hobdy, included Rev. DeWayne Lark, State Rep. Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Shondra Wygal, , Bruce Austin, Judson Robinson III and Defender Editor Marilyn Jackson Lee, George Nelson, Judy Foston, Rev. Jew Don Boney, Kimberly WileyMarshall……..RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY BOOK SIGNING…….. Jules, Thelma Scott, Sandra Massie Hines, Michael Kubosh, Pastor James Nash, The Houston Public Library hosted a book-signing for the award-winning author and Defender Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley at the McCrane-Kashmere Gardens State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Dr. Jonita Reynolds and a host of others. Congrats!
Bishop James Dixon II, Sonny Messiah Jiles and Jodie Jiles
Morgan Billingsley and ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Ovide Duncantell
Michael Harris and Darryl Montgomery
Erinn Smith and Erica Smith
State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Dr. Jonita Reynolds, Sandra Massie Hines and Fred Taylor
Stephanie Monroe, Dr. Andrew James, Charlene Hunter James and Shondra Wygal
Carolyn Charlot, Debra Walker and Cecelia Fontenot
Carolyn Charlot, Debra Walker and Cecelia Fontenot
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