To the POINT DN
Associate Editor’s Message
STOP COMING FOR SIMONE BILES & CO.
Te 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastic Team (aka Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Jade Carey and Sunisa Lee) did the “darn” thing in Paris, winning gold in the team competition and countless medals as individuals and dominating the world’s best. But, before the Paris Olympics began, one of Biles’ former Olympic teammates from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (MyKayla Skinner) said this year’s team lacked “talent,” “drive” and “work ethic.” Black Twitter (X) couldn’t help but notice that the 2021 silver medal-winning team had three whites and three sisters, compared to the 2024 team made up of four sisters and one white girl. Skinner’s inference was taken as furtherance of that tired and untrue stereotype about Blackfolk being inherently lazy. How can we be lazy if we built the world’s frst civilizations when free, and when enslaved, built European empires for them as well? Anyway, Biles responded to Skinner on Instagram on July 31 with a pic of the 2024 squad celebrating their gold medal, with the caption, “Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions.”
JAMAICAN FAM
Sheila Jackson Lee, and the Notorious BIG aren’t Black. Make that make sense. And we wonder why Trump and crew are questioning future President Kamala Harris’s Blackness – because they see this as a “divide-and-conquer” issue based on our own people’s refusal to see Blackfolk the world over as our family. C’mon fam.
UNITED AIRLINES HUGE FUMBLE
In my spiritual home, we, like so many others, celebrate Black August. We do so for several reasons, one of the biggest being that August is the birth month of Marcus Mosiah Garvey (Aug. 17, 1887), one of the greatest Race Men this planet has ever known. Garvey, arguably, impacted more Black people fghting for Black people than any other human in history. FYI, Garvey was born in Saint Anns Bay, Jamaica. Jamaica – the island nation that some Blackfolk, for some idiotic reason, say is not populated by Black people. Tese confused folk say Jamaicans and folk with Jamaican ancestry aren’t Black. Really? If that’s the case, then Robert Nesta Marley, Naomi Campbell, Colin Powell, Lester Holt, Busta Rhymes, Harry Belafonte, Patrick Ewing, Al Roker, Tyson Beckford, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kerry Washington, Aaliyah, Luther Campbell, Gill Scott Heron, Louis Farrakhan, Bushwick Bill, Heavy D, KRS-One, Kid from Kid & Play,
By now, it’s old news that NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis was taken of a United Airlines plane in handcufs by FBI agents (without explanation) in front of his wife and children… on some BS. Afer “them laws” immediately reviewed the allegation, the Feds (who have never been friends of Blackfolk) determined Davis did no wrong despite the fight attendant’s allegations that Davis “accosted” him. It’s also old news that United never fully atoned for their mistreatment of Davis and family. But what’s new is, even afer Davis was cleared of the bogus claim of assault, United banned him from future fights anyway! Now, United says the ban was issued as standard operating procedure anytime anyone is accused of harming their employees, and that they had since lifed Davis’s ban. But they neither informed Davis nor the general public of this until Davis and fam put United on blast for banning a brother who was falsely accused of wrongdoing, embarrassed and humiliated publicly in front of his family and fight passengers via the false arrest and forced to address the trauma his two sons (aged 11 and 13) and 9-year-old daughter endured. Full transparency: I have good friends who work for United. But United, what the actual hell?!?!
ON THE WEB
• Republicans for Harris: Former Trump insiders choose Kamala.
• Photo Gallery: Sigma Gamma Rho sorority leaves mark in Houston.
• Jayden Keys named Katy ISD Track Athlete of the Year.
US Gymnastics Women Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Simone Biles, Jade Carey and Sunisa Lee.
Credit: AP/Natacha Pisarenko.
Aswad Walker
Just a few of the people who have expressed interest in the 18th Congressional District seat.
Two Nov. 5 elections for 18th District race? Here’s clarity
By Aswad Walker
If you’re confused about the process for choosing who will succeed the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in representing the historic 18th Congressional District, get in line.
On Nov. 5, while the nation is voting to decide who will be the next POTUS, one of the biggest down-ballot races includes the race for the 18th. However, Texas Governor Greg Abbott chose that date to hold a special election to determine who would fill Jackson Lee’s seat for the remainder of her term, which ends Jan. 3, 2025.
Abbott was not required to call for a special election, as the “regular” election for that seat was already scheduled for Nov. 5. Mike Doyle, chair of the Harris County Democrats, called Abbott’s decision “an attempt to confuse and create voting havoc in November.”
CLARITY
The special election called by Gov. Abbott means on Nov. 5 there will be two people chosen to represent the 18th: one will hold the seat until Jackson-Lee’s term ends (Jan. 3, 2025); the other will officially replace
Jackson-Lee moving forward.
At press time, the list of candidates for the “temporary” position had not been finalized. Candidates have until Aug. 22 to register to run in the special election.
The person who is likely to take Jackson Lee’s seat in Congress beginning Jan. 3, 2025 will effectively be selected by 88 Harris County Democratic precinct chairs when they gather to make that decision on Aug. 13.
That candidate will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot against Republican Lana Centonze. But because the district is solidly blue, the Democratic candidate will likely be the next to sit in the seat held by Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, Craig Washington and Jackson Lee.
“This selection process highlights a key aspect of our democratic system—local representatives have a significant role in determining their district’s future leadership,” said Melanie Miles Bazil, president of Southeast Democrats Network and Precinct Chair #0140. “These precinct chairs, representing various segments of the district, will listen to and evaluate the potential candidates before making their decision.”
CANDIDATES
Since the candidate selection is internal within the party, there is no formal filing process for candidates and precinct chairs could theoretically choose anyone.
Of the 15 Democrats who have been in touch with the county party, several have public service experience: former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards — who faced off against Jackson Lee in the primary, State Rep. Jarvis Johnson, State Rep. Christina Morales and Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer. Former Houston City Council Member Dwight Boykins, who put his name in the ring, dropped out of the race after Jackson Lee’s family endorsed Turner. Activist Corisha Rogers is also seeking the seat.
FORUM
contending to become the next Democratic nominee for the Congressional District 18 seat.
“This event offers not only a platform for candidates to present their visions but also an essential opportunity for the public to engage directly with those who seek to represent them,” said Bazil, one of the event’s main organizers.
18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATES FORUM
Sat., Aug. 10 @ 1 p.m. Young Women's College Preparatory Academy, 1906 Cleburne St. 77002
The Southeast Democrats Network and the Black Women of Greater Houston PAC will host a candidates’ forum for those
DeLaun Dillard, Fox26 Houston morning anchor, and Sonny Messiah Jiles, CEO of the Defender Network, will moderate the forum.
“[The forum] ensures that voters have a chance to hear from the candidates about their plans and priorities. The involvement of prominent moderators underscores the significance of this event in shaping the future of the 18th congressional district.”
Letitia Plummer City Councilmember
Sylvester Turner
Corisha Rogers
James Dixon Pastor
Jarvis Johnson State Rep.
Jolanda Jones State Rep.
Amanda Edwards
Christina Morales State Rep.
Project FREEDOM combating Project 2025
NNPA
A group of well-known Black Democratic leaders unveiled Project FREEDOM, a fresh strategy to combat Project 2025, a contentious 922-page plan to reform the federal government put forth by a conservative Washington think tank and other political allies.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have repeatedly warned in campaign speeches that if Donald Trump wins a second term, he plans to use the conservative blueprint to exert unprecedented presidential power, eliminate the Department of Education and federal housing assistance, and signifcantly cut or restrict food stamps and other social welfare programs.
Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025, calling some of the proposals “seriously extreme,” but its architects helped shape his Republican Party platform. Project FREEDOM, the organizers said in a virtual news conference, is designed to engage Black voters in four key battleground areas.
In the plan, the group says it aims to mobilize voters of color through town halls, community events, digital campaigns, and phone banks in Michigan, North Carolina, Las Vegas, and the Pennsylvania/Tri-State area.
Project FREEDOM aims to provide voters with a substantial policy agenda for Democrats ahead of the November election, ofering a clear and precise contrast to Project 2025. Organizers say Project FREEDOM is based on four pillars: Freedom to Live, Freedom to Learn, Freedom to Vote, and Freedom to Trive.
“When people show you who they really are, you have a responsibility to speak your Truth. Project FREEDOM is our opportunity to speak in one collective voice and say, ‘Tis will not stand,’” said Rev. Michael McBride, co-founder of Black Church PAC and the National Black Brown Gun Violence Prevention Consortium, which work to center Black and Brown gun violence prevention practitioners and scale up life-saving interventions related to urban and communal violence.
Tey said Freedom to Live is born from the idea that the Black community should be able to “live freely and without fear.” Organizers are calling for the passage of the
George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which Republicans in the U.S. Senate have stalled. “Te way to really engage voters to go to the polls is to make sure they know we’re not just going for a celebratory vote. Instead, we’re going to the polls with our bag of demands with us,” said Tamika Mallory, co-founder of Until Freedom, an intersectional social justice organization.
Mallory emphasized the need to address income inequality, educational challenges, and police violence. She referenced the case of Sonya Massey, an unarmed 36-year-old Black woman and mother of two, who was fatally shot by former deputy Sean Grayson
in her Illinois home. Grayson’s troubled history in law enforcement, including prior disciplinary issues, highlights systemic problems in policing that Project FREEDOM aims to address.
Meanwhile, Freedom to Trive calls for expanding the Child Tax Credit, increasing the federal minimum wage to match infation, and a pilot program for Universal Basic Income in low-income communities nationwide. Additionally, Freedom to Learn focuses on education, including canceling student debt and protecting Black American history in public schools. Freedom to Vote aims to strengthen voting rights, advocate for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act’s passage, and reshape the U.S. Supreme Court.
Michael Blake, founder of Project FREEDOM and CEO of KAIROS Democracy Project, emphasized the urgency of the initiative. “Our democracy is under siege by a man and political machine that put themselves above all those in whom they detect ‘otherness,’” said Blake a former vice chair of the Democratic Party.
“We cannot afford to forget the pain inficted on our people throughout Donald Trump’s administration, and we certainly cannot aford the destructiveness a second term would normalize,” Blake stated.
Project FREEDOM ofcials said, “Make no mistake: Communities of color are the frontline communities targeted by the poison that is Project 2025’s Christian Nationalist vision for the future, and Project FREEDOM is the antidote.”
Texas youth detention centers plagued with problems
By Raquel Rogers
A recent report from the U.S. Justice Department reveals ongoing issues within Texas youth detention centers, including sexual abuse, excessive use of pepper spray, and prolonged isolation of children in their cells. Te recently-released report accuses the state of violating the constitutional rights of hundreds of youths in custody.
Te fndings come three years afer the Justice Department initiated a federal investigation into widespread abuse and harsh practices within the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, which manages hundreds of young people annually.
According to U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, staf in these facilities have engaged in sexual acts with minors, subjected some children to isolation for up to 22 hours at a time, and used pepper spray directly on their faces. Clarke also highlighted that approximately 80% of the children in these detention centers are Black or Hispanic, framing the issue as one of racial justice.
“Tis is a racial justice issue,” Clarke stated. “Our children deserve to be protected from harm and have access to essential services.”
In response, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department issued a statement asserting its “zero-tolerance” policy towards abuse and neglect and noted that it had cooperated with federal investigators during their 2022 site visit.
Eforts to obtain comments from Republican Governor Greg Abbott’s ofce were unsuccessful, though the ofce had previously stated it would cooperate with the federal investigation.
Te report also pointed out that mental health concerns, such as suicidal thoughts and self-harm, were ofen ignored, with children being routinely punished for their behavior instead of receiving appropriate care. Tis failure to address mental health issues was deemed a violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Te Justice Department expressed its willingness to work with the state to address these violations but also hinted at the possibility of a federal lawsuit.
Civil rights activist Tamika Mallory speaks during a protest at NFL headquarters. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)
Hong Ogle President, Bank of America Houston
News DN
Democratic National Convention
Who are Houston Black Delegates?
By Laura Onyeneho
As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) approaches, the Texas delegation has made a decisive move, overwhelmingly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee for president. With 273 delegates, Texas is sending the third largest delegation to the convention, a significant force in shaping the party’s future direction. In a recent vote, 260 out of 273 delegates backed Harris, highlighting her perceived qualifications to defeat Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump. State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving Democrat in the Legislature, initiated the motion to endorse Harris.
WHO ARE HOUSTON BLACK DELEGATES?
Texas (Houston) Black Delegates are elected representatives from the state’s African American community, tasked with representing Black interests within the Democratic Party. These individuals are often community leaders, activists and political figures committed to advocating for justice and equality.
Here is a list of delegates representing the Houston/Harris County region:
Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner – District 18 At-Large
Texas State Rep. Jolanda Jones – District 18 PLEO
Texas State Rep. Ron Reynolds – District 22 PLEO
U.S Congressman. Al Green – District 9 Automatic
Texas State Rep. Senfronia Thompson –District 18 Automatic
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee – District 18 At-Large
Houston City Controller Chris Hollins –District 18 District
Interim Executive Director of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Antron Johnson – District 18 District
Almeda Dent – District 9 At-Large
Alesia Shealey – District 18 District
Mo Jenkins – District 18 District
Pamela Davis – District 9 At-Large
Reggie Stewart – District 18 District
Terrance Shanks – District 18 District
Toni Middleton Lewis – District 9 District
DNC DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITIES
Voting on the Party Platform: Delegates help shape the party’s stance on key issues, ensuring that the platform addresses the concerns of Black communities, such as healthcare, education, and criminal justice reform.
Nominating the Presidential Candidate: They cast their votes to nominate the Democratic presidential candidate, which involves rounds of voting and intense discussions. The support of Texas’s large delegation can be pivotal in determining the nominee.
Engaging in Policy Discussions: Delegates participate in committee meetings and policy discussions, bringing their unique perspectives to influence the party’s policies.
How do they become delegates?
The process of becoming a delegate involves several steps:
Declaration of Candidacy: Interested individuals must declare their candidacy by submitting an application and meeting the Democratic Party’s eligibility requirements.
Campaigning: Candidates campaign to gain support from local party members, engaging with the community to explain their goals and vision.
Primary or Caucus Process: Delegates are often elected through primary elections
or caucuses, where party members vote for their preferred candidates. As a populous state, Texas has a significant number of delegates, amplifying its influence.
Pledged vs. Unpledged Delegates: Delegates can be pledged, meaning they support a specific candidate based on primary results, or unpledged (superdelegates), who are free to support any candidate.
REPRESENTING BLACK PEOPLE AT THE CONVENTION
Texas Black Delegates play a vital role in ensuring that the voices of Black Americans are heard at the convention. Here’s how they advocate for their community:
Advocating for Key Issues: They push for policies that address systemic racism, economic inequality, police reform, and healthcare access, ensuring these issues are prioritized in the party’s platform.
Building Coalitions: Delegates often collaborate with other minority groups and progressive factions to build strong coalitions, enhancing their collective influence.
Engaging with Voters: They serve as a bridge between the party and Black voters, informing the community about the convention’s developments and stance on critical issues.
Influencing Nominee Selection: Delegates can support candidates committed to advancing the interests of Black Americans by participating in the nomination process.
THE IMPACT OF THEIR ENDORSEMENT
The endorsement of Kamala Harris by the Texas Black delegation is a significant development. Harris’s qualifications and accomplishments, including her tenure as the first female, Black, and Asian American Vice President, make her a strong candidate for nomination. With Texas’s substantial delegate count, their support could be decisive in securing Harris’s nomination, shaping the Democratic Party’s future, and ensuring that Black Americans’ voices are amplified nationally.
Texas DNC delegates endorse Kamala Harris for presidential nomination in ‘overwhelming majority’ Credit: (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
10 BIG LIES Trump and the Republicans Tell About Kamala Harris
By Keith Boykin Word In Black
“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collabora tion between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake America in the 2024 presidential election.
Donald Trump just finished speaking to the National Association of Black Journal ists, and it went exactly as you might expect — a hot mess. After attacking ABC reporter Rachel Scott as “rude,” Trump threw out a flurry of lies and misinformation about Vice President Kamala Harris.
So, allow me to debunk some of his lies, and a few others, about Kamala Harris.
1
She’s not really Black.
“I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black,” Trump told NABJ, “and now she wants to be known as Black.”
Not true. “I’m Black, and I’m proud of being Black. I was born Black. I will die Black,” Harris told the Breakfast Club in 2019. She didn’t change her identity. Her father was always Jamaican. And she’s always been connected to the Black community, which is why she graduated from Howard University and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
2
She’s a failed border czar.
“She’s the worst border czar in the history of the world,” Trump told NABJ today.
First, she was never a border czar. Her job was to focus on the root causes of immigration. Second, if she was the border czar, she could take credit that border crossings are lower now than they were when Trump left office. Third, if you want a more secure border, then blame Trump, who killed the bipartisan immigration deal because he didn’t want to give President Biden a win before the election. And by the way, whatever happened to Trump’s wall that Mexico was supposed to pay for?
3
She’s a “DEI hire.”
Trump told NABJ that Harris “could be” a DEI hire, echoing racist remarks from Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett, who said, “100 percent, she was a DEI hire.”
DEI hire has become the new GOP slur, replacing “affirmative action candidate,” which replaced the N-word, but they all mean the same thing. Harris has been a district attorney, an attorney general, a
United States senator, and a vice president. Trump was a game show host when he ran for president. Yet Republicans don’t question his credentials or those of his running mate, J.D. Vance, a 39-year-old freshman senator who just got to Congress last year
4
She’s not eligible to run.
Republicans claim Harris is ineligible to be president because her parents were not born in America.
First of all, she was born in Oakland, California, and the Constitution doesn’t require that your parents be born in the U.S. Second, Trump’s own mother was born in Scotland, but I guess those made-up rules only apply to Black candidates.
5
She’s a “San Francisco liberal.”
Republicans have released a new ad attacking Kamala Harris as a “San Francisco liberal.”
They’re so stuck in the past that they’re resurrecting an attack line from 1984 when Jeane Kirkpatrick coined the term “San Francisco Democrats” as a not-so-subtle homophobic slur. But that was 40 years ago; it’s time for new material, guys. If Harris was such a San Francisco liberal, why did Donald Trump donate $6,000 to her past campaigns?
6
She’s soft on crime.
Republicans claim that Harris is not tough enough on crime, but she’s a prosecutor, but they’re literally supporting a convicted criminal as their presidential nominee. Case closed.
7
She’s a cop who locked up thousands of innocent Black men.
Now, come on, folks, she can’t be “too tough on crime” and “too soft on crime” at the same time.
But here’s the truth. As a district attorney, Harris implemented a “Back on Track” program to help young, nonviolent offenders with education and job training. When she was attorney general, California became the first statewide law enforcement agency in the country to mandate officers wear body cameras. And she’s a longtime opponent of the death penalty, even when it wasn’t easy. True, prosecutors make tough decisions that piss people off on both sides, but to caricature her as “too tough” or “too soft” on crime is just too simplistic.
8
She slept her way to the top.
Donald Trump was a failed businessman with six bankruptcies, five draft deferments, three baby mamas, and two divorces when he ran for president. And after paying $130,000 in hush money to a porn star and $150,000 to a Playboy Playmate that he slept with while his wife was pregnant, twice-divorced, convicted felon, and adjudicated rapist, Donald Trump is the last person to be talking about anyone’s sexual history.
9
She never accomplished anything.
As a prosecutor, Kamala Harris put murderers and abusers behind bars. As attorney general, she went after the big banks and won $20 billion for homeowners. As vice
president, she took on the big drug companies to cap the cost of insulin for seniors. And we’ve now seen 15.7 million new jobs and the lowest Black unemployment and poverty rates in history since she took office.
10
She can’t win.
Democrats have won the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections. They won with Obama, a Black guy with a Muslim name, and Hillary Clinton, a white woman who had been vilified for decades. Unfortunately, the skewed electoral college system gave Republicans the victory in two of those eight contests, but the results still prove that the country is on our side. It just means we have to turn out in record numbers to overcome the electoral college bias.
That’s it for now. Many more lies to debunk in the coming months. But if Trump has something to say about Kamala Harris, as she said in Atlanta this week, say it to her face.
Keith Boykin is a New York Times–bestselling author, TV and film producer, and former CNN political commentator. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Keith served in the White House, cofounded the National Black Justice Coalition, cohosted the BET talk show My Two Cents, and taught at the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University in New York. He’s a Lambda Literary Award-winning author and editor of seven books. He lives in Los Angeles.
The post 10 Big Lies Trump and the Republicans Tell About Kamala Harris appeared first on Word In Black.
Democratic Presidential candidate VP Kamala Harris. Credit: AP/John Bazemore.
InFocus DN
Is HISD ready for the school year?
By Tannistha Sinha
As a new school year begins in the Houston Independent School District, the district is facing some of the same old problems.
A year into the takeover by the Texas Education Agency, the district is facing yet another backlash from community members: this time, against the new proposed HISD bond, amounting to $4.4 billion. Te general consensus among speakers during the most recent school board meeting echoed the same sentiment – “no trust, no bond.”
“HISD, the children, the staff, and the community…we need a bond, but we cannot trust this management team in place right now. We will be all for a bond when we have an elected board of trustees, and a competent certifed superintendent to be the management team for such. Up until then, no trust, no bond,” said Christie Machelle Brewster, a retired school nurse who served in her role for more than three decades.
In the 2024-25 school year, HISD will have 130 New Education System (NES) schools, which the TEA-appointed superintendent Mike Miles introduced last year.
How are the NES schools doing?
Miles’ new plans for HISD showed strong improvement in state test scores this year. For years, the Black and Brown students of HISD
have had to trail behind white students in academia.
However, STAAR results show above-average growth on standardized tests, which suggests that HISD has been closing the achievement gap in grade levels since the superintendent announced an overhaul last year.
According to HISD data, HISD students improved in STAAR Algebra I, English I, English II, and Biology, and in some cases, “exceeded preCOVID proficiency levels.”
The number of 3-8 graders profcient in math and reading increased while reading proficiency in all tested grades surpassed pre-COVID levels. Moreover, the number of students profcient in math at every grade level also improved.
However, some schools were placed under high pressure to enhance scores, causing mental health concerns among teachers and students.
A high school teacher at Wheatley High School, who preferred to remain anonymous, says the atmosphere at the school is a “high-anxiety environment.” Recently, a teacher had to go on a medical leave because she had “extreme anxiety attacks,” she recalled.
The parents expect to go and make noise every time they don’t like something, but they don’t understand that the superintendent is not freable. There’s no power and no authority to get rid of them.”
Te school, located in the Greater Fifh Ward with a 99.7% minority enrollment (55.2% Black and 43.9% Hispanic students), triggered the TEA takeover of HISD when it failed to meet TEA’s academic standards for seven consecutive years. Te takeover pertains to a 2015 law authored by Democrat in Houston who was frustrated with poor outcomes at some HISD schools. It allowed Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath to replace the school board with a board of managers. Miles announced that the school would be one of the three schools whose
feeder pattern will comprise his NES model, following which 28 other NES schools joined the program, and teachers and principals had to reapply for their jobs.
Te teacher says she has observed a lack of accountability on campus, coupled with despair from students who are expected to behave in a “robotic” way with very little time to do independent work. If a student falls behind, teachers are instructed to reteach the lesson.
“How can you reteach on the fy?” she wonders. “Te parents expect to go and make noise every time they don’t like something, but they don’t understand that the superintendent is not freable. Tere’s no power and no authority to get rid of them.”
One strategy always worked for her students, she says — going up to the board and working out a problem while other students learned. She noticed children feeling empowered when their turn came and engaged them. However, this is no longer allowed in the classroom.
“Another thing is they say that they want you to internalize the lessons. You’re supposed to write down notes on what you think the kid may not understand. Tat process is a joke because they bombard you with so much other stuf during your planning period that you never really get to it,” she recalled.
Teachers are tasked with the internalization of lessons, which “takes hours” and ofen prolongs afer work hours. A majority of her co-workers, too, are unable to call it a night until afer midnight. Tey are expected back on campus at seven in the morning.
Te constant evaluations, too, stress teachers and students out, the teacher says. Te Monday afer Hurricane Beryl struck Houston, the executive director of the school came in and conducted “full evaluations of every single class.”
“Te kids were looking like, ‘Why is he here?’ Tere were people who didn’t have lights. We were drained because we had to
come, they threatened people that if you miss too many days, you would be fred,” she told the Defender. “Tey [students] came to school, some displaced, but their minds were not ‘let me go ahead and be a robotic learner today.’”
She admits that the scores have been better. Te percentage of Wheatley students who met grade level increased in each subject except U.S. History compared to last year. She advised, “Loosen up on the NES model. If they had allowed us to put our own creative spin on it and not create anxiety in such a draconian environment, then the scores would’ve been much higher.”
Working in a majority-minority enrollment school, the teacher, who is Black, says
she has discussions with other teachers of color on the campus that lived through segregation. “Tey said this was segregation, meaning you can’t say certain things because you never know who’s gonna hear. And if it gets back to the wrong person, then all of a sudden, something happens to you. It truly feels like Jim Crow [laws].”
The impact of budget cuts weighs heavy on some children
Earlier this year, Miles trimmed down teams of wraparound specialists on campuses. Tese specialists provided non-academic support to students, such as food and shelter, medical needs, legal support, social and recreational services, and
immigration support. Teir duties have now shifed toward attendance and dropout prevention and referring students to HISD’s Sunshine Centers. HISD conducted layofs and reduced its budget to $2.1 billion for the upcoming school year, $110 million less than last year, citing a budget defcit of $528 million due to federal COVID-19 relief funds or “ESSER dollars” drying up and declining student enrollment.
Many of these wraparound specialists served students struggling with poverty-related issues like hunger and homelessness. Te Wheatley High School teacher has observed its impacts.
“We have lots of homeless children on
HISD teacher exodus continues
A former teacher of Houston ISD, who spoke with the Defender on the condition of anonymity, was asked to write the African American curriculum at an NES school for the 202324 school year. A week before classes were to begin, she emailed the school district, inquiring about her location. Soon afer, she received an automated message that asked her to look for another location.
She accepted a job at Worthing High School, an institution with a 99.2% minority enrollment, comprising 67.7% Black and 29.6% Hispanic students, and moved to Houston from Angleton for the job. At frst, she taught the Art of Thinking, but when the U.S. history teacher lef, she had to fll the role, teaching both subjects for $68,000 a year. In December 2023, she left the district and decided to teach at Brazosport and Alvin community colleges and fnally joined Fort Bend ISD.
“The issue for me was the fact that I gave up other positions because I was constantly told [by HISD] ‘Don’t look somewhere else. We really want you for this position,’ only then to be told we’re not doing African American studies through an automated message,” she told the Defender.
She is one of the 10,000 employees who left HISD since the Texas Education Agency (TEA) took over the district last year, joining 75% of the departures that were “voluntary.” Moreover, 2,400 teachers and 76 principals lef in June, leaving a void that HISD is yet to fll.
Once she joined, the atmosphere of the school bothered her — she saw the principal “yelling at grown people,” including students. “For me, it was just too much unnecessary stress.”
our campus that need basic needs. We have children who literally need groceries, shoes, clothes, soap, lotion, shampoo, and sanitary napkins to take home from the campus. Tey no longer have wraparound people,” she said. “Te Sunshine Center is not on campus, but it’s supposed to be a hub that supports multiple campuses.”
However, these centers require students to make an appointment first and then reach the center. One parent in particular needed a professional outft for an interview: “a simple dress, a black skirt, a white top.” When the campus failed to provide it, she went to a Sunshine Center. What they gave her was a pair of torn jeans and a tank top,” the teacher said.
Moreover, her class had students who were preparing for the STAAR test, while others had failed and were placed in the class again.
According to HISD, it sent out 6,500 teacher contracts toward the end of the last school year, while 250 to 300 teachers were told their contracts would continue without a renewal. The school district may also employ fewer teachers, owing to declining enrollment.
According to data obtained by the Houston Defender, enrollment now stands at 183,884—down by 6,000 students from the 2022-23 school year and approximately 26,000 from the 210,000 enrolled in 2019 during pre-pandemic times.
Houston Independent School District
Superintendent Mike Miles speaks to parents and members of the community during a community meeting.
HISD BOND: GOOD OR BAD?
Mary Johnson Works to empower children Profle DN
By Laura Onyeneho
Mary Johnson isn’t just a talented dancer; she’s a passionate advocate for its transformative power in young lives. She founded Te Impossible for Every Child: Performing Arts Center (IMAGINE…), an organization that embodies her mission to empower children through classical ballet.
Te Harlem-raised Houston-based dance educator started her journey with dance at the age of three. From that moment, it became a lifelong pursuit. Nurtured by esteemed instructors like Ruby Magby, Ruth Williams, and Alvin Ailey, her talent blossomed under their guidance.
Johnson craved to share the joy of dance with others, especially youngsters who might not have access to such opportunities. Tis desire took root when her family moved to Long Island. Tere, alongside her mother, Adele Johnson, Mary co-founded the frst African American dance school – the Adele Johnson’s School of Performing Arts. Witnessing frsthand the impact dance had on her students, Mary’s passion to nurture young talent grew. She trained them and led them to prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, the New York State World’s Fair, and Hofstra University. However, she recognized that not everyone had the same opportunities she and her students enjoyed. This realization and her unwavering love for children and dance drove IMAGINE... the Impossible. Te Defender spoke to Johnson about her work here in Houston.
DEFENDER: Mary, your passion for dance is evident. Can you tell us aboutyourownjourneywithballet?
Mary Johnson: Absolutely! I started dancing at the tender age of three. My mom, a trailblazer herself, opened the frst African American dance studio on Long Island. Growing up surrounded by dance, I witnessed its transformative power frsthand. By the time I was 12, I was already teaching.
DEFENDER: What inspired you to create IMAGINE...? Why the focus on ballet, specifcally?
Johnson: Te name IMAGINE... comes from Ephesians 3:20, a verse that speaks to limitless possibilities. Tat’s the core of our mission – to empower young people to dream big. As for ballet, it might seem unconventional, but ballet isn’t just about tutus and tiaras. It’s about discipline, focus, and the joy of artistic expression. Yes, there are stereotypes about race and ballet, but Misty Copeland’s story is a shining example of how anyone can excel in this art form.
Exposure to ballet opens doors – to music, theatre, and a whole new world. Even if a child doesn’t become a professional dancer, the lessons they learn here will beneft them for life.
DEFENDER: What skills or values do you hope to cultivate in your students?
Johnson: We want our students to walk away believing they can achieve anything. Ballet is hard. It requires dedication and focus. But when they master a step, a turn, a pirouette, it instills a sense of accomplishment that carries over into other aspects of their lives. We tell them they’re special and have the potential to be the smartest in class, the most focused. And if ballet isn’t their ultimate path, they can take that discipline and confdence and excel in whatever they choose to pursue.
DEFENDER: You mentioned stereotypes. What challenges have you faced in bringing ballet to the Fifh Ward?
Johnson: Let’s say I could fll a phonebook! Tere are many hurdles, from overcoming preconceived notions about ballet to simply getting used to proper posture. Ten there’s the home life some of these children face. But we can’t let challenges deter us. We stay focused on the bigger picture. And the rewards are truly inspiring. We see shy children blossom into confdent young people, their posture improving their grades going up. Teachers tell us they’re more focused in class. Tat’s the magic of IMAGINE...
DEFENDER: This upcoming performance will raise awareness for a permanent performing arts center. Can you tell us about this vision?
Johnson: Absolutely! Right now, we rely on borrowed spaces. A dedicated facility would be a game-changer. It would provide a permanent home for our program, a space where these young artists can truly fourish. Beyond that, it would be a beacon of hope for the Fifh Ward community, symbolizing that access to the arts is for everyone. Imagine a space where these children can learn ballet and explore other art forms, where the entire community can come together to experience the magic of live performance.
DEFENDER: Mary, what does the future hold for IMAGINE...?
Johnson: We dream of a future where ballet is woven into the fabric of the Fifh Ward. We dream of students going on to
Mary Johnson founder of The Impossible for Every Child: The Performing Arts Center empowers underserved children in Houston, Texas, through the artistry, structure, and discipline of classical
professional careers in dance, but more importantly, we dream of young people who are empowered, confdent, and ready to take on the world. With a permanent
facility and continued community support, IMAGINE... can continue to be a place where dreams take fight, one graceful step at a time.
ballet training. Credit: Mary Johnson.
$10M Climate justice program mobilizes Blacks Feature
By Aswad Walker
Climate Power, a strategic communications organization focused on winning the politics of climate, is announcing the launch of its Black Engagement Program, dedicated to advancing conversations about the disproportionate impacts of climate change on Black communities nationwide.
A key part of the campaign will be educating Black voters about the stark contrast between Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic climate record that holds Big Oil accountable and Trump’s dangerous pro-polluter Big Oil agenda.
For the past four years, Climate Power has worked to lead the climate narrative, protect climate progress, and build the political will for more climate action. Reaching groups most impacted by the climate crisis (Black and Latino voters) is critical.
With an investment of over $10 million, Climate Power’s Black Engagement Program is running a political communications campaign to ensure that climate change and clean energy issues are key drivers for Black voters this November.
“Climate change extends beyond the environment and touches nearly every part of Black life in America,” said Markeya
Thomas, Climate Power’s senior advisor for Black Engagement. ”Black communities have long been the bearers of environmental degradation and climate impacts, and we know that Vice President Kamala Harris has a history of creating environmental justice taskforces to taking on Big Oil for polluting our communities, and casting the deciding vote for the Biden-Harris administration’s clean energy plan.
“We want to set the record straight. The only way we can protect the climate progress that’s cleaning our air and water and fighting the climate crisis is by stepping up. Another four years of Trump would be a disaster for
our climate, especially for communities like ours.”
Dr. Jawanza Clark, who believes the ancient perspectives and wisdom of Black/ African and Indigenous people regarding humanity’s relationships with earth, should lead environmental justice efforts, would see Climate Power’s initiative as a good start, with more work needed.
“Two of the most vital issues confronting us, the problem of racial injustice and the ecological crisis, derive from the same source, the problem of whiteness, specifically white, Western culture,” said Clark, author of “Reclaiming Stolen Earth.” “We
have to ask, if the same culture that got us into this problem of impending ecological destruction with a legacy of oppressing and marginalizing Black, Brown, and Red communities, can be trusted to get us out of this situation. Perhaps those oppressed communities have something to offer to the healing of the Earth.”
In the meantime, Climate Power seeks to ensure Blacks are voting for a presidential candidate in November with a proven record on climate issues. The good news: recent data suggests 62% of Black voters across battleground states consider climate change and clean energy to be important factors when voting for the next president. The challenge: transforming those voices into votes.
In addition to the Black Engagement Program, Climate Power launched Climate Power En Acción in 2023, an expansion of its political communications operation tailored specifically to Latinos. These initiatives reflect Climate Power’s unwavering dedication to building public support for strong climate policies and holding climate deniers and their oil and gas lobby allies accountable.
For more information on VP Harris’ climate record, visit www.climatepower.us.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS INSTALLER ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY
The HCC Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Systems Installer Level 1 certificate program provides students with the basic knowledge of solar technology, manufacturing and services. This certificate program prepares students to work as installers, maintenance technicians, and constructors of solar panels and related technologies. The program is accredited by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), the industry approved credentialing agency, using its job training analysis guidelines. NABCEP is the most respected, well-established and widely recognized certification organization for professionals in the field of renewable energy.
For more information, contact: 718.718.8932
hccs.edu/solar-installer
Credit: Adobe Stock.
Black youth face early puberty health risks
By Amaka Watson
A troubling trend is emerging.
Black children from low-income families are starting puberty earlier than their peers, potentially setting them on a path toward poorer health outcomes. Tis concerning fnding comes from a recent study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Apple Women’s Health Study.
Te JAMA Network study examined data on over 71,000 individuals born between 1950 and 2005. Across all demographics, the average age of frst menstruation (menarche) is dropping. However, the trend is particularly sharp for racial minorities and children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, with Black children experiencing the earliest onsets of puberty.
Tis earlier initiation of puberty isn’t the only concern. Te study also suggests that Black children and those from disadvantaged backgrounds experience longer delays in establishing regular menstrual cycles. Medical professionals warn that both early menarche and irregular periods can be indicators of potential health issues down the line.
“If something is happening to a child’s body physiologically that they are unfamiliar with, like the early onset of puberty, it
may create fear and anxiety for the child,” said Dr. Janice Beal, a mental health professional. “Tere have been some studies linked to depression and early pubertal onset. All children are diferent, but it is important that these symptoms are discussed and looked for in young girls.”
Beal’s colleague, Dr. Janice Crowder, agrees.
“Puberty begins between the ages of 8-13 on average, but some Black girls are seeing the onset of puberty as early as fve years old,” said Crowder, who pointed to a study that found younger generations are experiencing their frst menstrual period before the average age of 12.
“This is especially the case for racial minorities and children living in poor economic status. Te implications of this reality include severe adverse health outcomes, which is why early counseling, education and medical advice on menstrual health is critical,” added Crowder.
Teories behind the reasons for this phenomenon suggest environmental factors like exposure to chemicals that mimic hormones play a role, socioeconomic factors such as chronic stress, limited access to healthy foods, and racism.
The study published in the JAMA Network found that the average age girls born between 2000 and 2005 got their periods at 11.9 years old.
Credit: Adobe Stock Images
Studies have linked early menarche to an increased risk of breast cancer, certain types of ovarian cancer, and metabolic issues like type 2 diabetes later in life. Irregular periods can also be associated with fertility problems and hormonal imbalances. If a person’s cycle is routinely shorter than 28 days, they should consider reporting the change to their healthcare professional, even if it still seems like a “normal” cycle.
CLASSIFIED
NOTICE OF SALE OF ABANDONED PERSONAL PROPERTY
Pursuant to Chapter 59 Texas property Code, Neighbor Storage will hold a Public Sale of Property to satisfy Landlord's lien on August 14, 2024 online through Storagetreasures.com. Tenant is Wayne Prahl and the storage space is located at 7526 Romney Road, Houston, Texas, 77036 Property will be sold to the highest bidder (credit card payment). Property must be removed within 72 hours and space broom swept. Seller reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw property from a sale. Said properties are: shop equipment.
Feature DN
Continue your education
By Aswad Walker
“College Towns” are generally defned as towns, cities, or neighborhoods/districts that are dominated by their university population.
Te “town” may be home to one large university, or there may be several schools of varying size clustered. “College Towns” also earn that moniker because the presence of the educational institution(s) pervades economic and social life.
Tuskegee, Alabama is a “College Town.” So, too is College Station. Austin, you could argue, still is a “College Town,” though UT is no longer the absolute epicenter of that city due to its insane growth over the past two decades.
But I fnd it interesting that Houston is never viewed as a member of that fraternity. H-Town has one of the largest “clusters” of higher education institutions in the nation. And not a day goes by without Houstonians receiving news from, about, reported on by, or researched at TSU or PV or Rice or UH or UHD or HCC or Lone Star College or etc.
Houston is a “College Town,” dagnabit! And if you don’t believe me, just check out a sampling of the continuing education programs Houston-area colleges and universities make
institutions in the “College Town” known as Houston.
Houston Community College
Te Houston Community College School of Continuing Education faculty and staf are committed to providing outstanding instruction and services to our community in areas such as: business, languages, industrial technology & energy, information technology, construction, manufacturing, transportation, public safety, and health. We are proud of the expertise our faculty bring to the classroom. Whether changing careers or updating your skills, the School of Continuing Education can help you achieve your goals. www.hccs.edu/continuing-education/
Prairie View A&M University
available to Houston residents, temporary Bayou City transplants and the world. Tere are so many, I had to change my original plan for this article, which was to highlight fve specifc programs (i.e. HCC’s cloud computing
or cyber security programs, UH Clear Lake’s Friday Morning continuing ed smorgasbord of oferings, etc).
Instead, here’s information on the continuing ed ofces from various educational
Te Ofce of Continuing Education sustains customer loyalty by providing industry-relevant professional development courses and programs that engage PVAMU’s teaching, research, and service mission. Contact Rebecca L. Faison, Director of Continuing Education, at rlfaison@pvamu.edu for more information. www.pvamu.edu/continuingeducation/
Houston-area colleges and universities offer an incredible array of diverse continuing education programs for professionals and lifelong learners.
Credit: Interactive College of Technology.
Sports DN
Texans running back Cam Akers had 13 yards rushing and caught two passes for 18 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener against Chicago.
Sports Briefs
Simone Biles claims sixth Olympic gold medal
Houstonian Simone Biles built on her legacy as the most decorated gymnast ever and is now flirting with being one of the best athletes ever after winning her sixth Olympic gold medal and ninth overall Olympic medal in Paris.
Simone Biles
The 27-year-old clinched the allaround gold medal after a stunning floor routine during last week’s Paris Olympics. After winning her second career all-around Olympic title, Biles donned her diamond-encrusted GOAT pendant. “My GOAT necklace is just kind of an ode, because some people love it and some people hate it, so it’s like the best of both worlds,” Biles said. “I was like, ‘OK, if it goes well, we’ll wear the GOAT necklace. I know people will go crazy over it.’”
Astros bolsters pitching rotation at trade deadline
Hoping to make a push for the postseason and beef up the pitching rotation, the Astros acquired 33-year-old lefthander
Yusei Kikuchi from Toronto and lefthander Caleb Ferguson ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Kikuchi had a 4.75 ERA with the Blue Jays this season and struck out 130 batters in 115.2 innings prior to the trade. In the meantime, the Astros also designated pitcher Rafael Montero for assignment.
Yusel Kikuchi
UH Cougars to meet Auburn in Battleground 2k24
Brittney Griner had seven points, three rebounds, and two assists in the women’s basketball Olympic team’s 87-74 win over Belgium
TEXANS RUNNING BACK
DAMEON PIERCE
Focuses on No.31, not 2023
By Terrance Harris
Texans third-year running back
Dameon Pierce clearly went through some soul-searching this offseason after a disappointing sophomore campaign.
Naturally, with the Texans looking past Pierce with the acquisition of Pro Bowl running Joe Mixon this offseason, his thoughts and focus could have been all over the place. But his approach and focus have been much more inward.
“Being number 31, being number 31, being Dameon Pierce and me, personally, that’s playing fast, that’s being explosive, that’s being a playmaker, that’s being a high caliber running back in this league like I have been, like I have shown, like I have shown flashes of. But now, now the challenge is being consistent in that aspect,” Pierce said to the Defender. “How can I build – how can I stack days? How can I stack games? How can I stack weeks? How can I attack recovery? How can I attack the playbook? How can I attack being a better teammate? A lot of those things go into being a better running back and being a better back for this team.
“So, ultimately, as long as my goals align with the team goals, all my personal goals will follow. So, that’s really what the focus is, just keeping the main thing, the main thing and being number 31 at the end of the day and having fun.”
year of his career so far, but not for the reasons you would think.
The University of Houston men’s basketball team will take on Auburn in the Battleground 2k24 on Nov. 9 at the Toyota Center. Rice will also take on Florida State in the first game of the double-header. “We are very excited about The Battleground 2k college hoops series and the opportunity that this premier sports platform presents to combine great competition with the community in both Houston and Birmingham,” USE President Rhossi Carron says.
Kelvin Sampson
All indications are that is exactly what Pierce is doing this training camp. He is working hard to move past a disappointing and injury-riddled 2023 season in which he lost his starting job and finished with just 416 yards and 2.8 yards per carry rushing.
That was in stark contrast to his rookie season when Pierce burst onto the scene as a fourth-round pick (107th overall), rushing for 939 yards and 4.3 yards per carry while scoring four touchdowns. The versatile back also caught 30 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown out of the backfield in 2022.
Oddly, Pierce insists that we are seeing his first two seasons incorrectly. He believes that 2023 may have been the best
“Yeah, five years from now, five years from now, bro, I’m going to be able to say that, ‘Year two was my best year.’ Probably not on paper, but the process and the growth that I had mentally is going to be something that carries over to every year that I play in this league,” Pierce said. “Just being able to deal with the lows, being able to battle through injuries, being able to bounce back, being able to just sit back and see that – it’s necessarily not a bad thing.”
Pierce’s surroundings changed significantly last season. New head coach DeMeco Ryans brought in a new offense run by offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, and quarterback Davis Mills was replaced by rookie sensation C.J. Stroud.
So that meant the dynamics and demands put on Pierce by running backs coach Danny Barrett were quite different.
Last year everything seemed to be happening at warped speed. Barrett believes things have slowed down significantly in Pierce’s second camp of the Ryans era.
“Coach Barrett, this is my third year
with him, so he knows me probably better than anybody on the staff in terms of how I process information and how I go out and perform on the field and my process of actually taking in and retaining it,” said Pierce, who didn’t play in the Texans’ preseason opener last week against Chicago. “So, I’ll say that’s pretty much on point. Everything is slower and it’s allowing me to play faster because the less I think, the better I am because I’m like a player who doesn’t like to think a lot.”
His instinct has allowed Pierce to be one of the most versatile backs on the squad. Coming out of the backfield, Pierce is both a running and receiving threat, and the coaching staff is hoping to build on his explosiveness on special teams this season. Ryans has been pleased with what he is seeing from Pierce in camp.
“Dameon is playing fast and he’s making plays. Every day he is showing up making plays and I love what he’s doing in the kick return game,” Ryans said to the Defender. “Every day he makes a play, so I’m excited to see where Dameon is. I think he’ll be in a much better spot this year than he was last year.”
Houstonian
Pierce
Texans running back Dameon Pierce is looking to rebound with a strong third season after struggling last season through injury and inconsistently, which conspired to help him lose his starting spot. Credit: Getty
Sports DN
Platou Community Center youth pose after competing during the 2024 Harris County Street Olympics at NRG Center. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender.
HARRIS COUNTY STREET OLYMPICS
Platou Community Center enjoys success
By Jimmie Aggison
The Platou Community Center proudly participated in this year’s Harris County Street Olympics, bringing together a team of 12 young athletes under the enthusiastic leadership of Dajai Tennard.
Held annually at the NRG Center, the Harris County Street Olympics is a celebrated event that transforms traditional “street games” into Olympic-style competitions, fostering community spirit and athletic excellence among Houston’s youth.
Tennard, a dedicated community leader, emphasized the importance of this event for the participants. She believes that by attending the Harris County Street Olympics, youth learn vital life skills such as teamwork, discipline, respect and resilience. These qualities help them succeed in sports and in their everyday lives.
“Working with kids is profoundly rewarding because it allows me to play a role in their development and growth, helping them navigate challenges and discover their potential,” said Tennard. “Seeing their enthusiasm, resilience, and progress firsthand is incredibly fulfilling. It’s a privilege to guide and support them, knowing that the skills and values we instill can have a lasting impact on their lives. The joy of building connections and witnessing their achievements fuels my passion and commitment to nurturing their growth and helping them thrive.”
The Harris County Street Olympics includes a wide range of activities, from basketball and Hula Hoop contests to spelling bees, jump rope, and jacks. Over the years, it has expanded to incorporate mind and body challenges like chess, track, aquatics
and cycling, making it an enriching experience for all participants.
Last year, Madison Stewart, a regular attendee of the Platou Community Center, won 2nd place in the jump rope contest, highlighting the center’s strong presence in the competition. This year, the team continued to showcase their talents, with teen volunteer Amaya Cobbs winning the Football Accuracy Throw contest. Cobbs, who will be starting her freshman year at Fort Bend Marshall High School this fall, demonstrated exceptional skill and precision in the event.
The benefits of participating in such competitions are manifold.
1. Teamwork and Cooperation: Kids learn the importance of working together to achieve common goals, fostering collaboration and effective communication.
2. Discipline and Hard Work: Through training and practice, participants understand the value of dedication, perseverance, and a consistent work ethic.
3. Respect and Sportsmanship: The event teaches respect for coaches, opponents, and officials, encouraging good sportsmanship and gracious handling of wins and losses.
4. Resilience and Handling Failure: Children learn to manage setbacks and bounce back from failures, building resilience and coping skills.
Registration opens every April 1 for parents interested in enrolling their children in Houston Parks programs. The summer programs, which include a wide range of activities and provide lunch, are available for $30 per week, with free admission for children
who receive Medicaid or food requirements, they can also be waived the $30 per week,” said Tennard. “Summer enrichment programs differ in size. At Platou Community Center, we have a maximum number of 25 spots, and they do tend to fill up quickly, so if you would like for your kids to be involved next summer, please don’t wait.”
The Platou Community Center's Dajai Tennard. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/ Defender.
