Houston Defender: August 02, 2012

NATIONAL

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Volume 81 | Number 40 WEEK OF AUGUST 2, 2012 | FREE

LOCAL 4 FRENCHY’S LOCATIONS closed for business

College degrees matter

P3 Health OPINION

VITAMIN D

guidelines for kids

P8 SPORTS

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LAUREL RICHIE leads the WNBA

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Marc Morial speaks out The National Urban League held its 2012 conference in New Orleans, and President and CEO Marc Morial spoke out on the issues.

Hear his thoughts on returning to his hometown. Find out what he had to say about voting rights. Learn about the other prominent African Americans who appeared at the conference.

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El Franco Lee II displays art

The work of local artist El Franco Lee II is currently on display at the Houston Community College Northeast Art Hub Gallery, and his reputation continues to grow. Why does he call his art confrontational?

What does he want to accomplish as an artist? And what do others have to say about his creativity?

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Damali Keith, Dana Hill and Kim Roxie at Black Dolls Affair

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF AUGUST 2 | 2012

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newstalk

Four Frenchy’s

locations close

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

The Houston mainstay Frenchy’s, which celebrated its 40th anniversary three years ago, appears to be downsizing, with the closing of several locations.

Over the past month, four Frenchy’s locations have closed to the chagrin of Frenchy’s chicken lovers throughout the Bayou City and beyond.

The closed restaurants include Frenchy’s Main Street Grille (8110 Kirby), and the Frenchy’s restaurants at 757 West Little York and 5588 North Freeway. The restaurant’s Prairie View location has also closed.

Still open, to the delight of countless faithful customers, is Frenchy’s original location at 3919 Scott, the Frenchy’s located in H-EB at the corner of OST and Scott, and the one at Highway 59 and Murphy Road.

One of the most popular local Creole cuisine restaurants, Frenchy’s grew from its humble beginnings to become the hometown favorite for customers over the years,

with a full menu of sides to accompany its famous spicy fried chicken.

The late Percy “Frenchy” Creuzot, a native of New Orleans, moved to Houston in 1963, and opened his restaurant near Texas Southern University and the University of Houston on July 3,

1969.

The two Third Ward restaurants operated by the Creuzots and the Highway 59 location franchised to another group are still in business. The Frenchy’s locations that closed were originally licensed to GlennLock Foods, a company headed by former Houston Texan Aaron Glenn and his business partner Jason Medlock.

The current owner of the closed locations was unconfirmed at press time.

Representatives of GlennLock Foods could not be reached for comment.

Starting with one Frenchy’s location in June 2006, GlennLock Foods opened several new restaurants within a few years.

Percy “King” Creuzot III, who runs the Creuzotowned Frenchy’s as well as the Frenchy’s Sausage Company – a highly successful business in its own right built from the ground up by Percy III – remains upbeat about Frenchy’s future.

“Though I am not sure what will happen, there is a possibility that the closed stores will re-open. There is definitely an effort to re-open them,” Creuzot said.

“When you’re in business, these things happen,” he added.

“This is not the first or the last time a business will close.”

Creuzot believes the closing of the four locations will not hurt overall sales, but rather drive business to the restaurants that are still open for business.

“Our customers will still able to enjoy Frenchy’s chicken at one of the other locations,” he said.

Students from the University of Houston-Downtown’s Upward Bound program traveled across the country to visit top universities and cultural attractions. The program provides students with academic and social skills needed to graduate and succeed in college.

UHD gets grant for Upward Bound Defender News Services

A recent $2.4 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education will extend the University of Houston-Downtown’s Upward Bound program, which tailors academic and social instruction for high school students.

The federally-funded program assists firstgeneration, low-income, college-bound students with the academic and life skills

necessary to graduate from high school and succeed in college.

UHD’s Upward Bound program – currently in its 31st year – has provided nearly 3,000 students from HISD with individualized training in math, science, composition, literature and foreign languages.

Approximately 100 students a year commit to attend a week of intensive training during the summer, as Continued on Page 5

localbriefs HOUSTON’S HOMELESS POPULATION is on the decline. Figures recently released by the Coalition for the Homeless show the number has decreased 14 percent, from 8,538 counted on Jan. 31, 2011 to 7,356 counted on Jan. 31 of this year. “The Coalition for the Homeless works with numerous area service providers every day to prevent and end homelessness in our region,” said coalition president and CEO Marilyn Brown. “Through their efforts, we have seen a drop in the homeless population in Houston. We remain committed to ending the cycle of chronic homelessness in our region.” The coalition was

founded in 1982. Its mission is to lead in the development and implementation of community strategies to prevent and end homelessness……..

DWI FATALITIES HAVE DECLINED locally while DWI arrests have risen. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Houston area is on pace for the lowest total in at least five years for traffic fatalities caused by driving while intoxicated. There were 24 such cases from January through June of 2012, compared to 48 in 2011, 27 in 2010, 38 in 2009 and 37 in 2008.……..

SEVEN SUPPORTERS OF HOUSTON JANITORS were arrested as part

of planned civil disobedience. Local janitors have been on strike in an effort to raise their wages to $10 an hour since contracts with multiple cleaning companies expired in May. The jailed protestors – all from out of town – included four janitors and three labor activists. One of them, Matilde Reyes, said: “Today I am proudly taking a stand, so that workers everywhere know there is strength when you unite together. We follow a long line of freedom fighters who have taken arrest, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Cesar Chavez – they did it for us, and now we do it for Houston janitors.”

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WEEK OF AUGUST 2 | 2012 | DEFENDER

U.S.briefs CONGRESSMAN JESSE JACKSON JR. is continuing treatment for depression and gastrointestinal issues at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. The clinic said it would release further information as Jackson’s evaluation proceeds, and that “Congressman Jackson and his family are grateful for the outpouring of support and prayers that have been received throughout his care.” His father, Rev. Jesse Jackson, also gave a brief statement. “There is no timetable on his recovery. We hope he will fully recover,” the elder Jackson said……..CONSERVATIVE BLACK ACTIVISTS are throwing their support behind Chick-fil-A, which has angered members of the gay community because of remarks by restaurant president Dan Cathy. Activists with the Project 21 Black leadership network are in favor of the company’s right to operate under its founder’s faith-based philosophy. “The homosexual lobby has carefully executed a plan of harassment and exclusion towards businesses, organizations and individuals unwilling to bend to their every whim.

These practices have a chilling effect on the rights of free speech and association,” said Project 21’s Stacy Washington. Among other things, Cathy told a magazine he believes marriage is between a man and a woman…….. RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AMONG BLACK YOUTH has dropped dramatically according to a new findings released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings were presented at the recently concluded 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C. The data comes from the CDC’s National Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted among a representative sample of high school students. According to the study, the overall percentage of U.S. high school students who had ever had sex declined from 54 percent in 1991 to 46 percent in 2001. Among Black students, the decline was especially significant, from 82 percent in 1991 to 60 percent in 2011. Researchers believe greater public awareness of the dangers of risky behavior helped contribute to the decline.

National Urban League meets

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national

President Barack Obama is welcomed to the National Urban League conference by President and CEO Marc Morial.

City.

“We were honored to have President Obama deliver the he National Urban League took its message opening address, in which he announced an important of empowerment to education initiative and addressed thousands of attendees the growing problem of firearms and community members at its violence.”

2012 conference held in New Morial spoke the day after Orleans.

Obama at the Ernest N. Morial The NUL focused on the Convention Center that is named theme, “Occupy the Vote: after his father, who was New Employment and Education Orleans’ first African-American Empower the Nation,” and mayor and a prominent civil stressed the importance of rights attorney. preserving voting rights. The “I am astonished by the conference began with an efforts that are underway in announcement from President this nation to roll back the Barack Obama and concluded progress that we’ve made on with words of inspiration from voting rights,” Morial said in his Stevie Wonder. keynote address.

“This year’s conference, in “The rise of the modernmy hometown of New Orleans, day poll tax and literacy may be our most successful ever,” tests, disguised as sane and said NUL President and CEO sensible voter identification Marc H. Morial, who served two laws, restrictions on important terms as mayor of the Crescent Defender News Services

T

innovations like early voting, and handcuffs on community-based organizations that want to register people to vote are nothing other than modern-day Jim Crow methods in the clothing of James and Mary Crow, Esquire.”

Morial said the assault on voting rights doesn’t just affect individuals.

“It has the potential to diminish who we are as a nation,” he said. “It’s anti-democratic, anti-freedom, anti-equality, and it seeks to point the compass backward.”

The conference concluded with the Whitney M. Young Awards Gala, where Wonder and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder received the League’s “Living Legend” Award.

“Prejudice, hatred, starvation...I’m tired of praying for things we don’t want to change,” Wonder said.

Obama launches education initiative for Blacks Defender News Services VOLUME 81 • NUMBER 40 WEEK OF AUGUST 2, 2012

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley

Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People Editor Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker

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).

A new initiative announced by President Barack Obama is designed to ensure that all African-American students receive an education that fully prepares them for high school graduation, college completion and productive careers.

The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans – established by an Executive Order – will work across federal agencies and with partners and communities nationwide to produce a more effective continuum of education programs for AfricanAmerican students.

Obama made the announcement during his remarks at the National Urban League conference in New Orleans, and said he established the initiative “so that every child has greater access to a complete and competitive education from the time they’re born all through the time they get a career.”

He said that while America would provide students with an opportunity, they have to earn their success.

The initiative’s objectives include: • Increasing the percentage of African-American children who enter kindergarten ready for

success by improving access to high-quality early learning and development programs • Ensuring that AfricanAmerican students have access to high-level, rigorous course work and support services • Providing students with equitable access to effective teachers and principals • Reducing the dropout rate of African-American students The Executive Order also creates the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans to aid and advise the work of the initiative.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF AUGUST 2 | 2012

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entertainment

El Franco Lee II

Artist’s work on display at HCC Northeast

Visitors to the gallery view Lee’s art depicting real-life events.

American men wading in waist-deep water and gently handing a small baby over a fence to a waiting couple. In the backLocal artist El Franco Lee II likes to ground are the police marking boundaries engage viewers in his work, and his current for Hurricane Katrina victims with “no exhibit is appropriately titled “Truthful trespassing” signs.

Realities: Confrontational Art.” Aundrea Matthews, the HCC gallery “In my opinion my work confronts the curator, said Lee’s “Katrina” painting gave person and forces them to think about the her a different picture and more human subject matter, whether they know anything viewpoint than what she experienced from about it or not,” he said. media coverage of the 2005 hurricane.

Lee’s exhibit is on display through HCC Northeast President Dr. Margaret Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Houston ComFord Fisher said Lee’s “confrontational art munity College Northeast Art Hub Gallery, really pushes the boundaries of form and located at 555 Community College Drive. content.”

The exhibit opened with a reception atThe artist’s father, Harris County Comtended by students, faculty, college officials missioner El Franco Lee, also shared his and community members. thoughts on the exhibit.

His paintings cover a wide range “It has been interesting to watch the of events, and touch on such subjects as development, growth and expansion of El racism, disaster, hip-hop, sports and hisFranco’s work and watch raw talent grow El Franco Lee II’s exhibit is on display through Aug. 9 at the HCC Northeast Art Hub Gallery. tory. He wants his work to leave a lasting into a mature passion,” he said. impression.

El Franco Lee II received a bachelor’s “It’s something that I want to leave shows several paintings about Houston’s hip-hop degree in painting from the University of behind for people to look at many, many scene, including the late D. J. Screw.

Houston in 2007 and is now pursuing graduate studyears down the line when I’m gone, and still be able He features former Astros pitcher J. R. Richard ies at UH. His work has been exhibited at such local to appreciate and understand what was going on in the during his heyday in a painting titled “Before the venues as Project Row Houses, the Contemporary Arts times and what was going on in my head,” he said.

Stroke.” He depicts Richard during hard times in a Museum-Houston, the UH Project Gallery, Blaffer Lee paints with acrylics and draws with pencil painting titled “After the Stroke.”

Gallery and Diverse Works Gallery. and ink. “My art brings an illustrators technique of He chose the subject matter to “remind young It has also been shown in San Antonio, Dallas, realism and surrealism to the fine arts arena,” he said. people of the trials minority sports figures had to go Austin, Atlanta and Napa Valley, Calif.

“The intent is to set my work apart from ‘pop art’ and through.”

For more information on the HCC exhibit call ‘folk art’ by depicting real-life events.”

Lee’s painting “Katrina” depicts two African713-718-2160 or visit www.northeast.hccs.edu.

Lee’s works often have a local connection. He Defender News Services

What’sup OCTAVIA SPENCER dropped in on customers at a Charlotte, N.C., beauty salon and barber shop to share her political views. The Oscar-winning actress participated in a grass roots meet-and-greet, where supporters of President BARACK OBAMA visited businesses to appeal to voters. Referring to the Tea Party Movement, Spencer told customers, “I am a Southerner, and I loved tea at one point.

Now it has a very different flavor.” Spencer is a native of Montgomery, Ala.…….. RIHANNA and DRAKE lead the nominees for this year’s 2012 MTV Video Music Awards with five nominations each, and two of his nominations feature her. Rihanna is up for Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, Video of the Year, Best Choreography and Best Visual Effects. Drake is nominated for Video of the Year (featuring

Rihanna), Best Hip-Hop Video, Best Male Video (featuring Rihanna), Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography.

Other nominees include BEYONCÉ, CHRIS BROWN, LIL WAYNE, FRANK OCEAN and THE THRONE. The awards show airs Sept. 6……..The late RICHARD PRYOR will be profiled in a new documentary series by Showtime titled “Closeup.” The network has not confirmed the air date, but said the title of the comedian’s profile will be “Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic.” The series will also profile SUGE KNIGHT, the co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records…….. Retired Dallas Cowboy EMMITT SMITH returns to prime-time TV on Sept. 24, when ABC premieres “Dancing with the Stars: All Stars.” Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and a Hall of Fame running

back, was crowned winner of the reality show in 2006. This time, his competitors include five other past winners. Disney Channel favorite KYLE MASSEY is one of three former contestants taking part in a competition to fill the show’s final slot. Fans have until Aug. 24 to visit abc.com and vote up to five times per day for the wildcard celebrity they want to see on the show…….ROBIN ROBERTS is taking off two and a half weeks to rest. The “Good Morning America” anchor, who has a blood and bone marrow disease known as MDS, has been experiencing fatigue. Roberts is currently receiving chemotherapy and will undergo a bone marrow transplant in the fall. Since the announcement of her illness in June, the national bone marrow donation registry reports the rate of new registrants has more than doubled.

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Lee defeats Johnson in runoff Defender News Services

Political newcomer Erica Lee defeated former Houston City Councilmember Jarvis Johnson in the July 31 Democratic runoff for the Harris County Department of Education board Position 6, Precinct 1.

Lee won a convincing 74 percent of the vote, receiving a total of 9,779.

Johnson received 3,375 votes. A former teacher, Lee is the daughter of Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. The race between Lee and Johnson was contested after a mix-up with new district boundaries for the Department of Education. HCDE officials learned that outdated boundaries were used for the May 29th primary and filed suit in federal court seeking a new election.

Federal Judge Lee Rosenthal, however, ruled that the runoff between Lee and Johnson could proceed.

Lee will face another African American, Republican candidate Juluette Bartlett-Pack, in November.

Also in the July 31 runoff, Ted Cruz defeated David Dewhurst in the Republican race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison.

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UHD... Continued from page 2 well as Saturday courses on the UHD campus throughout all four years of high school. UHD supplies teens with stipends, meals and takes them on college tours.

UHD also conducts workshops that assist students with financial literacy, community leadership, college admission and test preparation, and brings business leaders to campus to offer their real-world expertise to the students.

Dawana Lewis, director of UHD’s Upward Bound program, said it meets a critical need. “There is nothing more gratifying than cultivating a love for learning and a persistent discipline in these students that leads to college and graduate school completion and ultimately changed lives.”

Lewis recently returned from a crosscountry trip with more than 30 students to visit universities and cultural attractions in Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

“More than 95 percent of Upward Bound students at UHD pass the TAKS test and graduate from high school,” Lewis said. “We’re excited to expand our program with our new federal grant and look forward to helping more students accomplish their dreams.”

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF AUGUST 2 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

Going back to school

A college degree matters

By ELESKA AUBESPIN Houston Defender

H

ouston-area education visionaries are focusing on a stark reality – there is a shortage of local talent in professions for which there is growing demand.

That means not enough Houstonians are obtaining the college degrees needed to fill certain jobs created by area employers. And the gap grows even wider among African Americans and minorities who fail to complete a college education that many say is necessary to compete in today’s workforce.

In an ambitious collaboration with leaders in the education, government, nonprofit and business sectors, the Center for Houston’s Future is taking charge of efforts to change that fact.

Juanita Chrysanthou Catherine Mosbacher Jolea Bryant The Center, founded in 2000 as a nonprofit organization with a mission to identify and help solve the region’s toughest problems, has created a regional public campaign, My Degree Counts, to not only recruit people to college, but provide the support needed to make sure they earn degrees.

The Center for Houston’s Future and its My Degree Counts initiative is hoping people who The program is designed for all ages – from dropped out of college will return for their degrees. recent high school graduates to grandparents.

Initiative organizers want to particularly target those who came close to completing college but “The bottom line is that we feel a key failed to do so for various reasons. That group includes anyone from young adults to grandparents, economic driver for our Houston region is and organizers said it’s never too late to finish what you started. college completion and it’s not just getting The Center’s website at www.centerforhoustonsfuture.org asks the question, “What is your these people into college, it’s about getting the obstacle to starting or going back to college?” It lists money, family and kids, math, fear, age, degree,” said Catherine Mosbacher, president disabilities, lack of time, legal status, or service in the military as reasons for stopping short of a postand CEO of the Center for Houston’s Future. secondary degree.

The site also lists help available, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Lone Star College “We know that the more educated the System Childcare, Virtual Math Lab, and the CHCI National Scholarship Directory for Latino Students. population, the more prosperous, innovative If military veterans want to return to college, they could even receive an educational benefit of up to and more productive we will be in our region,” 150 hours of tuition and fee exemptions at state-supported colleges and universities.

Mosbacher added. “Our new initiative, My For more information about the My Degree Counts Initiative, call 713-844-9303.

Degree Counts, is going to help us achieve this goal.”

The Center’s campaign actually developed out of a nationwide competition called the Talent Dividend Initiative, which is encouraging Houston and 55 other cities to increase two-year and fouryear college graduation rates by at least 1 percent by 2013.

The national competition is sponsored

by CEOS for Cities, a nonprofit group that believes an educated workforce translates into a better economy. The city that increases college graduation rates the most wins $1 million, which must be spent on a national advertising campaign “When we talk about the million-dollar prize, that gets centered around talent development in that city. people excited but I want to get people thinking about the Studies show that for the Houston region, increasing the $4.2 billion dollars and the impact it has on our economy,” number of post-secondary degrees by just 1 percent would Mosbacher said. raise personal incomes more than $4.2 billion annually.

It’s never too late to graduate

Fact:

College graduates can earn twice as much...

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we can’t leave anyone behind,” Mosbacher said.

“When it comes to African The Center for Houston’s Future offers a My Degree Counts Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Employer Toolkit for local employers searching for solutions to whites, we need all of those groups finding the right talent for today’s rapidly changing industries. participating in our economy and The toolkit is designed to help companies maintain a in order to do that they must get competitive edge by tapping into the “hidden” talents in their college degrees,” she added. current workforce, and provides employers and their employees Juanita Chrysanthou, interim access to resources that make it easier to complete a college vice chancellor for Student Success degree. at Lone Star College System, It includes downloadable promotional materials to recently chaired a team of faculty, communicate the initiative to employees, direct links to all local staff, administrators and students colleges and universities, and resources to organize workplace who were charged with identifying college fairs or seminars. barriers to college completion and For more information visit www.mydegreecounts.com/ strategies to address those barriers.

The My Degree Counts Initiative employers or call 713-844-935. fits well with their goal.

“We are attempting to Degrees needed African Americans to tap into the resource, either influence not only the collegeIn the Houston region, 28.4 percent of the by connecting to it through the Internet, educational going culture but those who have gotten off population has a college degree but when it comes institutions, churches, media outlets or public course,” Chrysanthou said. “We want to help to the African-American community that number service announcements. them through the academic planning so these drops to 14.2 percent, Mosbacher said. Hispanics All of those avenues are being utilized to help students can move forward.” have an even lower figure, with only 8 percent of the Center for Houston’s Future meet its goal of Many community colleges and universities them earning college degrees. increasing the graduation rate, said Jolea Bryant, have pledged to increase graduation rates by

The reasons why minorities don’t enroll project manager for My Degree Counts. offering guidance and support where needed. or drop out are varied, from financial roadblocks In addition, the Center hosted a Talent Lone Star College offers a diverse staff that and time restraints to a lack of role models, said Dividend Summit last year at the University of can easily connect to minority students and a Larry V. Green, Houston City Councilmember for Houston to rally community support and discuss special program pairs up African-American men District K. strategy. The center’s website lists programs, with minority role models on campus. In the “Because African-American communities agencies and scholarship foundations that financial aid office, staff has been doubled and are suffering so, a lot of parents don’t stress the help people overcome obstacles to starting or advisors help students pick courses needed to importance of a college education to their children returning to college. graduate, Chrysanthou said. because they know from an economic standpoint “What I’m really excited about is how Chrysanthou points out that employers they won’t be in a position to pay for college,” we are collaborating are not only looking for diversity, they want Green said. “But there are grants with several nonprofits someone who is qualified to do the job. and loans out there for them.” that work directly with “It’s important to have a diverse job pool Despite such obstacles, more Hispanics and African but in order to be seriously considered you must minorities must get college Americans,” Bryant said. have the credentials for it as well,” Chrysanthou degrees in order to compete “These nonprofits all said. in talent pools being tapped target at-risk students in Houstonian David Parra realized that fact by local industries, especially mostly communities of and after years of working full time, he returned in areas of expertise such as color and they have really to college at age 26. He graduated last year from engineering, oil and gas. And rallied behind My Degree the University of Houston-Downtown with a with degree in hand, minorities Counts.” bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. can become the role models Mayor Annise It was a good decision, according to that many didn’t have Parker also supports the research. College graduates can earn twice as themselves. program. much during their lifetime than people without “If we are able “My Degree degrees. And with a college degree, a person’s to put those graduates Counts is an important chance of becoming unemployed is cut by about in front of our youth, collaborative effort to 75 percent. not only will they be help Houstonians to “What made me go back to college was the able to inspire other overcome obstacles to reality that I needed a degree,” said Parra. “A minority students to achieve a higher college completion. While residents can find degree opens up a lot of doors for you.” education but also be trained and resources on the My Degree Counts website, At first, it wasn’t easy. Although Parra in a position to better assist the local businesses and nonprofits can make direct enrolled in a community college, he dropped out community in combating some of connections between their employees and our before completing the program because of poor the social ills that our community local colleges and universities,” she said. study habits and time management. currently faces,” Green said.

Several years later, Parra watched as his Educated workforce A mechanism such as My Degree wife April worked on completing her master’s For 10 years, the Center already has been Counts, which provides information degree. It encouraged him to give college preparing minorities for the workforce through on financial aid, mentoring, another try and this time he stuck with it. its leadership programs. More than 40 percent choosing college courses and time “As a minority, it’s just imperative to get of program graduates are minorities who will management, among other things, that college degree in order to level the playing not only reflect Houston’s diverse population but is worthy of support from region field,” said Parra, who is Hispanic. “With a hopefully lead it as well. leaders and residents, Green added. degree I can show I have the ability to complete “We know we have got to have an educated More important is getting the task and do the job.” workforce to be competitive globally and “We can use this as a way to begin to raise the level of awareness and get people to focus on college completion,” she added. “The fact is we are not going to quit on this initiative whether we win the $1 million prize or not. We know education is a key issue for our region and we are definitely in this for the long term.”

That commitment extends not only to the general public, but particularly to African Americans and other minorities who traditionally have a lower rate of obtaining college degrees.

Graduating from college is possible even with family obligations.

Help available for employers

Fact: With a college degree, the chance of becoming unemployed is cut by about 75 percent.

e Houston area for over 80 years

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF AUGUST 2 | 2012

health

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A Defender & Texas Children’s Hospital Alliance

Vitamin D guidelines for infants and children In 2010 the United States and Canada released new guidelines for calcium and vitamin D intake. The vitamin D guidelines were long awaited as there is tremendous interest in health effects of vitamin D. Dr. Steven Abrams, a neonatologist at Texas Children’s Hospital and researcher at the Children’s Nutrition Research Center, offers the below key points related to vitamin D and children: First, and most importantly, breastfed infants should be given vitamin D drops. It is not safe to assume that they get enough vitamin D from the sun or from breast milk. These should generally be given from a dropper that provides 400 IU each day from a single dropper. Begin the drops in the first week or two of life. Then, at 4 months of age (sooner if a baby is born at less than about 5 1/2 pounds), make sure the drops have both vitamin D and iron.

Secondly, older children need their vitamin D, up to 600 IU daily. Milk is an important source of vitamin D (and calcium) but isn’t going to be the only source as each cup of milk has about 100

IU of vitamin D. Other vitamin D sources include some types of seafood (salmon, tuna, sardines) and fortified foods (juices, yogurts, breads, margarines, cereals, mushrooms). It is very important to look at the label and see how much vitamin D is in the food or beverage. The vitamin D intake will be listed as a percentage of the “Daily Value” of 400 IU. So, “10 percent Daily Value” means 40 IU/ day, which is some, but not a lot, of the 600 IU needed each day.

Much is being said about the possible benefits of very high

healthnotes

doses of vitamin D, especially in adults. However, the evidence for benefits to high dose vitamin D supplementation in children is very limited. There is a risk of children becoming toxic from too much vitamin D. The new guidelines say that the maximum safe amount of vitamin D intake for infants is 1,000 IU per day going up to 4,000 IU per day in children 9 years of age or older. Do not give higher doses of vitamin D to children without the advice of a physician who is monitoring the safety of these doses.

Groundbreaking safety education program now available in Houston Responding to disproportionate risks that African-American and Hispanic children face in motor vehicle-related crashes, Texas Children’s Hospital, Toyota and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center announced last month that the groundbreaking safety education program, known as Buckle Up for Life (BUFL), will be available in Houston for the first time.

The only national program of its kind, BUFL is a national, community-based injury prevention initiative supporting the African-American and Hispanic communities. “Research has shown that African American and Hispanic children are less likely to be buckled up in seat belts or car seats than other children, making them more likely to die in motor vehicle crashes,” said Mary Frost, assistant director, Trauma Services and the Center for Childhood Injury Prevention at Texas Children’s Hospital.

“As a company with deep roots in Houston and a commitment to auto safety across the region, we are thrilled that Texas Children’s Hospital has teamed up with Toyota and Cincinnati Children’s to bring Buckle Up for Life to our city,” said Marc Watts, president of the Friedkin Group, whose companies include Houston-based regional auto distributor Gulf States Toyota. “Gulf States Toyota looks forward to supporting these efforts, which are so critical to our local community.”

Over a six-week period, the program’s medical experts and trained injury prevention specialists will work closely with Texas Children’s Hospital and local churches to address the economic, cultural and, where appropriate, language barriers to motor vehicle safety. The BUFL experts will help deliver vital safety information to the communities in an engaging, culturally sensitive and memorable way.

“The BUFL initiative will extend the community’s injury prevention capabilities, enabling use to change the staggering data and ensuring all of Houston’s children are riding safely in vehicles,” said Frost.

Transplant patient to compete at Transplant Games of America

Keyon Tolbert

While athletes from all over the world will be gathering in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics, hundreds of other athletes whose lives were saved by organ transplantation will gather to compete for the gold at the Transplant Games of America in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Keyon Tolbert, 15, a kidney transplant patient will join four other pediatric transplant patients from Texas Children’s Hospital to compete in the Transplant Games. Keyon was born

with a genetic kidney disease where one kidney was larger than the other. His disease was diagnosed when he was 7 years old. By the time he was 10, he needed dialysis three days per week.

Later, as his disease progressed, doctors removed both kidneys. He was on a wait list for a donor kidney for more than two years. He finally got his kidney transplant in March 2010. Now he participates in activities that he missed while he was so sick. Keyon likes to travel to new places and meet new people. He leaves for the

Transplant Games of America on July 27 where he will participate in swimming, basketball and track.

Nearly 1,200 athletes from 48 states are expected to attend the Transplant Games of America. The Opening Ceremonies on July 28 will include the parade of athletes and the lighting of the cauldron. The event concludes July 31 with Closing Ceremonies where the Team Cup Award and Outstanding Athlete Award winners will be announced.

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9

Texas Children’s Health Plan covers children from newborns to teenagers. We even cover adults and pregnant moms through STAR Medicaid. Families with children who qualify for CHIP pay $50 or less a year. Those who qualify for Medicaid pay nothing. CHIP and STAR Medicaid offer a wide range of benefits including checkups and shots, dental services, medications, and more.

With Texas Children’s Health Plan you also get: ■

Over 2,100 doctors.

■

A 24-hour nurse hotline.

■

Free transportation to doctor visits.

■

Pregnancy support program and classes.

■

Help losing weight through the Keep Fit Program.

■

Learn how to play soccer from the Houston Dynamo coaches.

■

Fun, free member events!

For more information, to receive an application, or to find an event in your

MK-1208-007

area, visit us online or call today.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF AUGUST 2 | 2012

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sports

Lestar Jean

Texans have great expectations

T

By MAX EDISON Defender

he Houston Texans are a week into training camp and local sports fans couldn’t be happier.

While the Astros are busy working on back-to-back 100loss seasons and the Rockets continue to toil in mediocrity, there is Super Bowl talk among Texan fans.

The Texans are deep enough to compete for a trip to New Orleans in February in every position except one – wide receiver. With the exception of starters Andre Johnson and Kevin Walters, the depth at the position is woefully thin.

In an effort to improve, the Texans drafted two receivers: DeVier Posey (Ohio State, 3rd round, 68th overall) and Keshawn Martin (Michigan State, 4th round, 121st overall).

The Texans also expect big things from second-year performer Lestar Jean.

Jean, an undrafted free agent a year ago out of Florida Atlantic, The Texans hope second year player Lestar Jean (18) will be the answer to their woes at impressed the coaches with his the wideout position. stellar play last year during training guys at the same time we’re expecting him to camp and in the preseason before come out on top.” suffering a minor knee injury. He spent the year The Texans released veteran Jacoby Jones in on injured reserve.

Texan receiver coach Larry Kirksey explained the offseason, which made Jean the heir apparent to the position, but he takes nothing for granted. what the staff likes about Jean.

“I have to prove myself. I have to show them “He has great size (6-feet-3, 205 pounds), that I belong here,” Lestar said. “Every day I have good speed, good hands and good catching to keep that chip on my shoulder and just go out radius,” Kirksey said. “He has come back really there and try to perform.” well from the injury a year ago and really picked Jean caught the coaches’ eye in last year’s up what we’re doing. He’s a very conscientious athlete that’s going to always do what we ask him preseason games with a series of highlight reel catches and he knows what he has to do to make a to do. similar impression this season.

“We’re expecting him to contribute and back “My job is making plays and even though it’s up ‘Dre and Kevin and hopefully be that third guy my second year I still feel like I have to prove for us. He’s in a battle right now with the young

Jean’s size and playmaking ability make him a valuable part of the Texan offensive game plan.

that I belong here, undrafted, coming from a small school, Florida Atlantic. It doesn’t matter who I’m going against or what school they’re from, I have to show that I can make plays.”

The buzz in the first week of camp is Andre Johnson tweaking a groin. Although the injury is minor, it provides yet another opportunity for Jean to prove that he has what it takes to be a big time NFL receiver.

Head coach Gary Kubiak believes now is the time for Jean to step up.

“I love his work habits. I love how he goes about his business,” Kubiak said. “He has all the tools – the size, he can run, he’s smart… he just has to be consistent and make a play. He had a couple chances to make plays this morning that he needed to make.

“I’m not being hard on him. That’s just the way it is. If he’s going to step up and play like a starter, then he’s going to get a chance to start doing that. We’ve been impressed with his work.”

The coaching staff believes that Lestar Jean can be the answer at wide receiver. They’ve clearly laid out the game plan. It’s up to him to prove that the faith they have in his ability is not misplaced.

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Laurel Richie leads WNBA as president

By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender

Laurel J. Richie has more than three decades of experience in consumer marketing, corporate branding, public relations, and corporate management, with a long track record of developing award-winning campaigns that transform brands and drive business results.

As president of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), she oversees the league’s dayto-day business and league operations.

Prior to joining the WNBA in 2011, Richie was senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Girl Scouts of the USA, where she was responsible for the Girl Scouts’ brand, communications, publishing, marketing, and web-based initiatives. She also spent time at the advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather, where she worked on a series of campaigns for prominent clients.

Richie is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a bachelor’s degree in policy studies. She lives in New York City. Here, she discusses her current position, the Olympics and other matters.

KW: What interested you in going from the Girl Scouts to the WNBA? LJR: Early on in my career, when I was working at an advertising agency, I went to a very senior-level meeting and I distinctly remember the inside of the boardroom – every single seat was occupied by a man. In that moment, I made a private promise to myself that I would do everything in my power to bring more diversity to these rooms where leaders gathered and decisions were made.

As my career unfolded and I worked on a wide range of clients and gained experience across lots of different industries, the businesses I enjoyed the most where those

Laurel Richie became president of the WNBA in 2011.

that focused on women. This passion really came to the forefront when I made the move from advertising to the Girl Scouts and then, very clearly, when I made the decision to join the WNBA. As the longest-running women’s professional sports league in the country, the WNBA is a great product comprising 132 of the best female athletes in the world.

And when you look beyond the players to owners, coaches, trainers, accountants, and chief operating officers -- it’s a wonderful example of what women can achieve in sports and in business.

KW: How do you hope to generate greater interest in the league and its superstars such as Maya Moore and Candace Parker?

LJR: The summer of 2012 is turning out to be very special. We are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Title IX and the Olympics are taking place in London, and we have seen increased interest in and exposure of our players.

The WNBA is very proud of the fact that all 12 members of the U.S. Women’s Senior National Team are WNBA players. For them to represent our country on an international stage is terrific.

Millions around the world will see them and have the opportunity to get to know them not only as great athletes, but as interesting and inspiring women.

KW: Why is there seemingly a stigma on women’s

athletics which is reflected in a lag in the WNBA’s ratings in comparison to the NBA’s?

LJR: We are a young league – now in our 16th season – and we have seen our attendance and viewership increase for each of the past five years. Our growth is a direct result of the fact that our game is exciting and highly competitive, and our in-arena experience is a ton of fun.

Once people come to a game, they are hooked.

In many ways, I think the WNBA is changing the way America views women and is having a positive impact on the way America views professional athletes. We’re showing the world what women can be as athletes and what athletes can be as citizens.

KW: To what do you credit not only climbing the corporate ladder but breaking the glass ceiling and reaching the pinnacle of success in the business world, a rarity for African-American females?

LJR: My parents. As far back as I can remember, their commitment to making

a positive impact on the communities in which they lived and worked was equal only to their commitment to helping my sisters, brother, and me achieve our dreams.

KW: What other changes do you envision implementing during your tenure?

LJR: We will continue to focus on attendance and income, as those are our key measures of bringing more and more people to the game and growing our fan base. We are actively doing outreach to organizations that appreciate and value the WNBA in order to build an even more robust group of sponsors and partners.

KW: What do you hope will be your WNBA legacy?

LJR: I don’t spend much time thinking about my legacy; my focus is on the legacy of the league and of the athletes who give their all on and off the court. We are, and will continue to be, the destination for the best women’s basketball players in the world. Every day we strive to provide our fans with an exciting and entertaining experience.

classified MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Requests for Qualification for the following service: ENGINEERING SERVICES: MEP, Structural, Civil and Environmental Services Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Services, 1st floor, located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7300 and/or via MHMRA website http://www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, August 13, 2012.

Qualification documentation must be submitted to the Purchasing Department by 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 in a sealed envelope marked "REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2012” “ENGINEERING SERVICES”. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner, C.P.M., Buyer III, Senior Purchasing Coordinator via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E-mail questions to sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org cc: nina.cook@mhmraharris.org.

MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all qualifications it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

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sportsbriefs Rockets sign a center In what could be described as the classic good news/ bad news scenario, the Houston Rockets signed a free agent center recently. The bad news, it wasn’t Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum; the good news, it was Omer Asik. The player (7-feet, 255 pounds) out of Turkey has been the back-up center for the Chicago Bulls the last two seasons. Known more for his defensive presence in the paint, he averaged 2.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.84 blocks in 13.2 minutes last season GM Daryl Morey was happy to welcome Asik into the fold. “We are excited to add Omer to our roster,” said Morey. “Omer has proven to be a defensive force at every stop in his career – in the Turkish league, in FIBA’s World Championships and EuroBasket competitions, and of course for the past two years for the Chicago Bulls. We are excited to add his rim protection, his rebounding, and the defensive mentality he brings to each play.” Asik’s contract is a reported $25.1 million over three years.

Astros garage sale continues If you have a need for some fairly mediocre major baseball players contact Astros GM Jeff Luhnow.

They’re having a big garage sale and everything must go. The Astros recently traded left-handed starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez and third baseman Chris Johnson. Rodriguez, 7-9 with a 3.79 ERA this year, was traded to the surging Pittsburgh Pirates for Triple-A All-Star Rudy Owen and Colton Cain, both left-handers pitchers, and outfielder Robbie Grossman to Houston. Owens is 8-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 19 starts for Triple-A Indianapolis. Cain, a Waxahachie native (21), is 3-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 16 starts for Class-A Bradenton. Grossman, 22, was hitting .262 with 20 doubles, seven home runs and 35 RBIs in 94 games for Double-A Altoona.

If that wasn’t enough, light hitting third baseman Chris Johnson was shipped off to Arizona for a pair of promising minor leaguers. The Astros receive infielder Bobby Borchering and outfielder Marc Krauss. Borchering, 21, was the D-backs first pick in the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft while Krauss, 24, was taken in the second round of the 2009 Draft. Luhnow is wheeling and dealing these days and why not. How many players are untouchable on a team that’s on pace to lose 100 games for the second consecutive year?

Victory Prep gives back Victory Prep, located in the heart of Fifth Ward (2903 Jensen), is sponsoring a big celebrity basketball game on Saturday, Aug. 18. The game is the highlight of a back-to- school program to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Area stars will compete in the game and a high-flying, rim-rattling dunk contest.

In addition the school will give away free backpacks and haircuts for school-age kids. Also there will be free hotdogs, snow cones, popcorn, face painting and a moonwalk for youngsters. For more information contact Victory Prep at 713-229-0560.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF AUGUST 2 | 2012

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For Event Coverage...visit

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chag’splace

James L. Harvey III, Darius O. Jubert, Marcel EAGLE SCOUT COURT OF HONOR……As a O. Jubert, Evan J. Ledet, Evan S. McClain, young man growing up in Kansas City, Kan., Rev. Zachary M. Mullins and Theodore J. Nash. We William Lawson desired to join a Boy Scout troop. salute all of you!...........SUMMER JUBILEE…..

His hometown did not have a Black troop and when The Children’s Defense Fund Texas hosted an event he attempted to join a white troop, his application titled, “I am Freedom Schools: was rejected. Years later, when he Join Yvette Chargois Summer Jubilee,” to celebrate the became pastor of Wheeler Avenue spirit of reading and showcase Baptist Church in Houston, the first Events of the Week the accomplishments of more auxiliary organizations established More photos on defendernetwork.com than 250 young scholars from were Cub Scout Pack 242 and See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads communities across Texas who Boy Scout Troop 242. This troop with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. participated this year in their became part of the largely Black summer learning program. The Council segment, the W.L. Davis program works to ensure every child is safe, healthy, District, which was named after William Leonard and engaged in learning during the summer. The Davis, a local African-American school principal. event was held at the Third Ward Multi-Service The Eagle Scout rank is the highest rank available Center and was attended by children from Beaumont, to youth members of the Boy Scouts of America.

Fort Worth, Galveston and Houston. Some of the Twelve young men recently received this honor and children attending included Ashley Jones, Makayla were pinned at a ceremony held at Wheeler Avenue: Acosta, Ariana Alexander, Dillon Lemons, Jason F. Arline, Jamespaul T. Bryant, Kenneth C. Marcus Simpson, Alexis Fletcher, Janaszia Cowan II, Steven P. Gossett, Andrew L. Griffin,

The Mullins Family, Eric, Annette and Zachary

Ashley Jones, Makayla Acosta, Ariana Alexander, Dillon Lemons, Marcus Simpson and Director Brandi Brown

Michelle Trent, Andrea Moore and Kamryn Sherman

The Ledet Family, Marvin, Chaney and Evan

Jamaszia Jefferson, Devin Harvey, Ryann McAllister, back row Alexis Fletcher, Deputy Dir. Vicki Johnson and John Minix

Kendra Dixon and Lisa Kitchens

Jefferson, Devin Harvey, Ryann McAllister and John Minix. Kudos to Brandi Brown, CDFTexas Youth Development director, Vicki Johnson, CDF-Texas deputy director, and others. The pride on their faces, was priceless!.....THE BLACK DOLLS AFFAIR…..LAMIK Beauty, an eco-chic makeup company founded by Kim Roxie and the Black Doll Affair, a philanthropic organization, founded by Dana “Mama Doll” Hill, celebrated the launch of their partnership to empower and raise the self-esteem of Black women and girls. This is a partnership of two entities which share the same vision of revealing the beauty of a woman inside and out. Additionally, for their outstanding work in the community, their talent to remain connected to the people, and for being role models that remind Black girls of their beauty and potential, the Black Dolls named Kim and Fox 26 News Reporter Damili Keith, Honorary Black Dolls. Congratulations!.....

From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

Cedric Raven, James L. Harvey III and Sumatra Harvey

National Consultant Quinton Jones and Toni Walton

Damali Keith, Dana Hill and Kim Roxie

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