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Volume 84 | Number 38 AUGUST 20, 2015 | FREE
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BACK TO SCHOOL A guide for parents
NEWSTALK CARMEN BROWN leads county Early Head Start
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P2 NATIONAL BEN CARSON popularity rises
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SPORTS JARED JOHNSON quarterbacks Sam Houston team
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Julian Bond remembered
ReShonda Billingsley
The late civil rights leader Julian Bond is being remembered as an outspoken advocate for justice and equality. Find out about Bond’s causes and contributions. Learn why other leaders admired him. Also read the editorial on his legacy.
Former Houstonian and awardwinning author ReShonda Tate Billingsley is excited about the film debut of “Let the Church Say Amen,” based on her best-selling novel. Find out when the drama is airing on BET. Check out the cast.
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ready for BET
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Thomas Jones is congratulated by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at his 60th birthday bash
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DEFENDER | AUGUST 20 | 2015
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Sheriff’s Dept. to review response
Senate to conduct jail safety study
By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
On the heels of the Waller County jail death of Sandra Bland, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and State Sen. John Whitmire announced the creation of an interim safety study committee to explore issues related to inmate mental health and suicide concerns. Patrick appointed Whitmire, the chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, to head the panel. Legislators will begin holding hearings next month. Speaking at the Capitol in Austin, Patrick did not mention Bland’s name, and said they were not there to talk about any particular case. The Waller County Jail was the site of Sandra Bland’s mysterious death. “It’s a very small percentage and a very small number, but they are human lives and we should do the best we can to protect those lives in those jails,” Patrick said. Five special prosecutors have been appointed to the Sandra Bland case. He added that jail suicides The private sector attorneys were recently sworn in, and the group includes two have been in the news. “It’s African-Americans and one woman. drawn the attention, quite frankly, “It’s important to me as the district attorney, it’s important to the rest of of senators on both sides of the my staff that the community here knows, the state of Texas knows and the aisle,” he said. world knows that justice will be served here in Waller County,” said D.A. Elton State Rep. Garnet Coleman, Mathis. chair of the House Committee on The prosecutors are expected to look into the conduct of the DPS trooper County Affairs, said he welcomed Brian Encinia, who pulled Bland over for a minor traffic violation. Mathis said the Senate’s interim study. they will conduct a fair and thorough review of the evidence. Their findings “The County Affairs could be presented to a grand jury by September. Committee will continue their oversight hearings on county jail suspect foul play. standards, the Sandra Bland case Bland reportedly confessed to jailers that she had and, other recent jail suicides that have occurred in the state,” attempted to commit suicide in the past, leading some to Coleman said. “The [committee] will have a hearing in the question why jailers did not institute a suicide watch. near future to follow up on the testimony given in our first Whitmire said most of the county jails in Texas are oversight hearing.” generally “well run,” but added, “When you have a broken Though Bland’s death on July 13 was ruled a suicide, link as it was in Waller, it affects the whole thing.” family and friends dispute the findings, and some supporters
Special prosecutors appointed
Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman said the department will look at deputies’ response to calls to a Northwest Harris County home, where eight people were murdered on Aug. 8. Deputies performed multiple welfare checks at the residence before a standoff and surrender of the alleged shooter occurred. David Conley remains in custody and charged with capital murder following the shocking deaths of Valerie Jackson and her 13-year-old son by Conley, Nathaniel. Also killed were Jackson’s husband, Dwayne, and their children Honesty, 11; Dwayne, Jr., 10; Caleb, 9; Trinity, 7; and Jonah, 6. Some 200 people recently gathered at the Fallbrook Church for a memorial service for the family. “Our department grieves, along with the citizens of our community, the senseless loss of life on August the 8th at the home located on Falling Oaks Road in North Harris County,” Hickman said. Sheriff Ron Hickman “Such acts committed against any individual, and especially those against children, pierce the heart with sorrow. We pray for those that were taken that night, and for the family members and friends that are left to pick up the shattered pieces. “As is standard in any type of significant event, we are taking steps to review, discuss and evaluate with our staff, our deputies and all those who played a role in responding to, and managing this event,” Hickman said. “We are dedicated to searching for adjustments or changes that may be able to prevent future incidents of this nature.” Hickman said the department believes deputies acted with “valor and courage” and in earnest compliance with the law. “As in any tragic incident there is always room for reflection, evaluation and improvement. To that end, we are conducting a review of the entire episode to ensure if there are changes necessary, or lessons to be learned that we are diligent in finding them. “Again, our hearts go out to the family and friends who have lost so many loved ones in this tragic incident,” he said. Jackson’s family set up a GoFundMe account to help with burial expenses for the eight victims. The family asked for $50,000, and has received donations totaling $30,000.
County names Early Head Start director
Carmen Brown is the new director of Early Head Start Education at the Harris County Department of Education. Brown leads the Early Head Start expansion in Baytown, a collaborative funded by a $2.8 million federal grant. Early Head Start provides services to needy children ages birth to 3 and their families.
Brown formerly served as director of Early Head Start in the Galena Park ISD. Brown directed the program recognized for excellence through an exemplary status by federal Head Start administration program audits. Through the years, she served as psychotherapist, case manager supervisor and program administrator with numer-
ous agencies throughout Houston and in Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas at Denton and a Master of Social Work from the University of Houston. For more information about the HCDE Early Childhood Head Start services, visit www.hcde-texas.org/headstart.
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AUGUST 20 | 2015 | DEFENDER
national
U.S.briefs PRESIDENT OBAMA signed an executive order that makes the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program a permanent part of the federal government. The program brings executives, entrepreneurs, technologists and other innovators into government, and teams them up with federal employees to improve programs that serve more than 150 million Americans. “My hope is this continues to encourage a culture of public service among our innovators, and tech entrepreneurs, so that we can keep building a government that’s as modern, as innovative, and as engaging as our incredible tech sector is,” Obama said……..BLACK STUDENTS face harsher punishments than their peers and are less likely to receive mental health attention for their problems, according to new research. A study published in the journal Sociology of Education found that school districts with large Black populations were less likely to consider offering counseling services compared to predominantly white school districts. School districts in which a large portion of the students were Black would usually report incidents to law enforcement officers, not the case in majority white school districts. The study examined data from 60,000 schools in more than 6,000 school districts, and concluded that the increased incarceration rates in minority communities results in a criminalized view of students when they misbehave…….. SOCIAL SECURITY recently turned 80, and was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in August, 1935. Among AfricanAmericans receiving Social Security, 25 percent of elderly married couples and 55 percent of unmarried elderly persons rely on it for 90 percent or more of their income. Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G. K. Butterfield praised Social Security as the country’s most effective poverty prevention program. “[It] keeps 22 million Americans out of poverty, including more than 1 million children, nearly 15 million seniors, and 6 million adults younger than 65,” he said.
VOLUME 84 • NUMBER 38 AUGUST 20, 2015
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila
Print Editor Marilyn Marshall
Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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Julian Bond praised for devotion to equality NNPA News Service
Julian Bond, a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and immediate past board chairman of the NAACP, is being praised for his lifelong human rights contributions. Bond, co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), died Aug. 15, at age of 75. “With Julian’s passing, the country has lost one of its most passionate and eloquent voices for the cause of justice,” SPLC said. “He advocated not just for African-Americans, but for every group, indeed every person subject to oppression and discrimination, because he recognized the common humanity in us all.” President Obama said Bond was a friend and a hero who fought for justice. “Michelle and I have benefited from his example, his counsel, and his friendship, and we offer our prayers and sympathies to his wife, Pamela, and his children,” he said. NAACP President Cornell William Brooks said the organization grieves Bond’s death. “The arc of service of Chairman Emeritus Julian Bond’s life extends high and wide over America’s social justice landscape,” Brooks said. Horace Julian Bond was born in 1940 in Nashville. His father, Horace Mann Bond, was a promi-
nent educator, serving as president of Fort Valley State University in Georgia and the first Black president of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, his alma mater. During his time with SNCC, Julian Bond protested against segregation of public facilities in Georgia and was arrested during a sit-in at Atlanta’s City Hall. Later, as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, he was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War. Bond served in the Georgia’s House for a decade and went on to serve six terms in the state senate. He ran for the U.S. House, but lost a bitter race to John Lewis, a former colleague who had been chairman of SNCC. Bond was also a writer, poet, author and professor at number of colleges and universities. He also narrated “Eyes on the Prize,” a documentary on the Civil Rights Movement.
Carson’s popularity with Republicans grows Support for Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is growing. A CNN poll conducted in Iowa showed the retired neurosurgeon in second place with 14 percent of support, trailing front-runner Donald Trump (22 percent). Carson’s recent campaign appearance in Phoenix had to be moved to a larger location because of his popularity. The event, originally scheduled to be held in a church, was moved to a room that can accommodate 6,000 people in the Phoenix Convention Center. “We think that’s partly because since the debate a lot more people have become aware of Dr. Carson and his message,” Carson senior strategist Ed Brookover
said. “What you want is to get the chance for people to hear you.” Carson will also make his first trip to the U.S.Mexico border as a presidential candidate. “Immigration is a leading issue in the country and very important to our economic growth,” Brookover said. “Dr. Carson wanted to hear from some of the local experts that deal with immigration on a daily basis.” Carson holds views that are favored by many conservatives. He opposes Obamacare, opposes prioritizing green energy, and is against a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
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AUGUST 20| 2015 | DEFENDER
entertainment
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‘Let the Church Say Amen’
premieres on BET By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
ReShonda Tate Billingsley’s popular novel “Let the Church Say Amen” is coming to television. The BET original film based on the book will air Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. It is directed by Regina King, produced by Queen Latifah and executive-produced by Bishop T.D. Jakes. It stars Naturi Naughton, Steve Harris, Lela Rochon, Hosea Chanchez and Collins Curtis Pennie. Viewers will enter the world of Rachel Jackson, a 21-year-old preacher’s daughter who aspires to be more than an unwed mother. She yearns for the stability of a marriage to her son’s dad and surmounts incredible odds to reconcile with the father she disappointed. Billingsley, who is also the Defender’s online editor, said she has been blessed by the entire experience. “It has been a long journey to bring the film to fruition,” said Billingsley, who makes a cameo appearance. “I’m so grateful to Regina and the whole team who worked tirelessly to see this through.” She said viewers can watch the film with their children. “It’s about family, faith and finding what really matters.” Billingsley, a former Houstonian, recently relocated to North Carolina with her husband and three children. She is an NAACP Image Award-winner and national best-selling author of more than 37 books. Two more of her books will become movies on TV One, and will air in the fall of 2016.
Steve Harris portrays Rev. Simon Jackson in “Let the Church Say Amen.”
ReShonda Tate Billingsley wrote the book.
Regina King directed the movie.
what’sup Renowned jazz flutist BOBBI HUMPHREY will return to the campus of Texas Southern University for “An Evening of Jazz” on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 8 p.m. in the Granville Sawyer Auditorium. The performance is presented by KTSU-Radio and also features saxophonists KYLE TURNER, SHELLY CARROLL and DEAN JAMES. Humphrey, a native of Marlin, Texas attended TSU and Southern Methodist University. She caught the attention of famed jazz trumpeter DIZZY GILLESPIE, who encouraged her to pursue a career in New York City. She was the first woman signed to Blue Note Records and has enjoyed three decades of musical
success. For “An Evening of Jazz” ticket information visit www.ktsufm.org or call 713-313-7591........ JANELLE MONÁE is speaking out about police brutality. She recently released a song about the subject titled “Hell You Talmbou” and led a Black Lives Matter march in Philadelphia. During a performance on the “Today Show,” Monáe talked about police brutality and appeared to be cut off by a show anchor. The incident prompted an angry response on social media. An NBC spokesperson said the performance was not intentionally cut off and the show was programmed for a commercial……..TRACY MORGAN is excited about hosting “Saturday Night Live” on Oct.
17. Morgan, who was a show cast member for seven seasons, continues to recover from an accident that occurred last June, when the vehicle in which he was riding was struck by a Walmart truck. Morgan sustained broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. One of his friends, comedian JAMES MCNAIR, was killed……..The list of performers added to the list of “The Wiz Live!” keeps growing. The special, which airs Dec. 3 on NBC, stars QUEEN LATIFAH and MARY J. BLIGE. New to the cast are COMMON and NE-YO. Other co-stars include DAVID ALAN GRIER, AMBER RILEY, STEPHANIE MILLS and UZO ADUBA.
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BACK TO
(PHOTO CTSY. ST. LOUIS AMERICAN)
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A guide fo
Finding success in any grade
S
chool is starting again, and thousands of Houston-area students will soon find themselves back in the classroom. Regardless of what grade your child is in, there are ways to help ensure success in school. Here are tips for the preschool, elementary, middle school and high school levels, many of which apply at any grade.
PRESCHOOL
• Spend time talking with your child about preschool even before it starts. Before the first day, gradually introduce your child to activities that often take place in a classroom. • Teach your child to be organized, and how to keep clothes, toys and gear organized in his or her room. • Form a good relationship with your child’s preschool teacher. Approach the teacher with an open mind and clear, direct questions. • If problems such as biting arise, sit down with the teacher and discuss the issue together. If your child has serious behavioral problems, talk to your doctor. • Remember that preschoolers’ likes and dislikes frequently change, and they’re just starting to learn how to interact with other kids their age. Various factors – including whether they’re sick, hungry, or tired – can influence day-to-day reactions to school.
However, if your child continues to complain, is unusually unhappy, contact the teacher.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
• Send your child to school ready to learn with a nutritious breakfast and enough sleep. • Help your child develop effective study skills and strategies for time management. • Show enthusiasm and excitement about your child attending school. • Visit the school and its website. Knowing the physical layout of the school building and grounds can help you connect with your child when you talk about the school day. • Attend back-to-school nights, parent meetings, open houses, and other activities for parents. Continue to be involved in activities throughout your child’s education. • Encourage homework independence. Have a pre-homework chat to summarize assignments and review directions. Check back later to see if there are any questions or problems. Let your child work on his or her own. • Know disciplinary policies and expectations for things like student behavior, dress codes and acceptable language.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
• Help your child manage homework time. Encourage him or her to aim high and always do their best work. Check with teach-
ers to see how much time should be necessary to complete homework. • Show interest in studies by talking with your child daily about what he’s learning and doing in school. Don’t take “nothing” for an answer. • Discuss ideas and feelings about school, studies, and activities. Be realistic about what your child can and should be able to do. • Contact counselors, administrators, and teachers periodically. Find out what your child should be learning, how he or she is progressing, and how you can help. Be a full partner in your child’s education. • Encourage your child to pursue interests and make friends through extracurricular activities. • Know your child’s friends. Know where your child is at all times. Be clear and consistent with discipline.
HIGH SCHOOL
• Keep tabs on school attendance. If you suspect a problem, immediately call the school.
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• Try to find at least one teacher with whom you communicate regularly for updates or advice on your teen’s general well-being in high school. • Make sure your teen gets plenty of sleep. Recent studies show that teenagers need nine or more hours a sleep nightly and students earning A’s and B’s generally are getting to bed earlier than students with lower grades. • Make sure there is a place for quiet study along with a place to keep school materials. • Help your teen divide long-term assignments into smaller tasks and develop a timeline for when tasks should be finished. • Beware of “senior slump,” where students consider the last year of high school a waste of time. Students who waste their senior year are often unprepared for college-level work even if they took challenging courses during their earlier high school years. • Listen to your teen talk about what is happening in class and outside of class without immediately judging or offering advice. Sources: National Education Association, scholastic.com, kidshealth.org
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Choosing extracurricular activities
The start of school also signals the start of extracurricular activities. Allowing students to participate in after-school activities can help them explore new interests, learn new skills and stay active. Extracurricular activities help in other ways as wells. As kids grow older, participation looks good on college applications and shows admissions officers that students are wellrounded and responsible. Here are 10 things to know about choosing activities. 1. Start your search at your child’s school. Ask the teacher or principal what options are available there. Talk to other parents about what their children are involved in and get recommendations for kidtested classes and activities. 2. Check out other resources such as community and recreation centers, churches, libraries, museums, the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club of America. 3. After you have an idea of the possibilities, talk with your child about what he or she is interested in. An artistic child might enjoy a ceramics or other art classes. A boisterous child can work off energy dancing or playing sports. 4. Don’t overlook activities that might seem like unlikely matches. Shy children often enjoy expressing themselves on stage in a drama class. Fidgeters can find a way to focus through martial arts. 5. If your child begins to show a particular interest in a sport, consider letting him or her try it out. Talk to the coach of the team or your child’s doctor about the specific sport to make
sure you’re comfortable with what to expect. 6. Once you’ve narrowed down the options, visit the activity while it is session so you can get a real idea about the environment, the staff and the program. Is the space clean, safe, and spacious enough for the activity? Is there enough equipment for everyone? Does the activity appear well-organized and supervised? Are the other kids happy and enthusiastic? 7. Make sure there is a desirable ratio of adults to children. Inquire about costs for uniforms, costumes or equipment. Look for a friendly, enthusiastic staff. Find out if they are certified or experts in their field. Feel free to ask for references and check them. 8. Choose activities that are age-appropriate. A kindergartener’s after-school life, for example, should be simple and free – one or two after-school activities a week are more than enough. Balance a 1st grader’s schedule with play dates, playground visits, and one or two days of an after-school activity per week. 9. Steer older kids toward activities they like and don’t get to do at school, whether it’s sports, computers, or art or music lessons. 10. Preteens and teens can improve their academic performance by joining chess, foreign language or other similar clubs. Or, they can sign up for activities with a leadership element, such as student council. Depending on their career aspirations, they can get a head start by working with the school newspaper, playing in the band or pursuing other activities that could help determine their future. Sources: The College Board, scholastic.com, kidshealth.org
Visit educational websites
There are dozens of educational website s that can help keep stude nts of all ages, many of them free. Parents are encourag ed to visit the sites fir st. Here are 15 of them: bartleby.com – gives access to reference books, literature and nonfiction blackhistory.com – focuses on Black his tory and culture coolmath.com – prov ides “cool” and “fun” math games, lessons and activities factmonster.com – offers fun facts and homework help funbrain.com – prov ides educational ga mes in math, grammar, science, sp elling and history howstuffworks.com – breaks down subje cts such as science, technology, money, culture and entertainment; provides games, qu izzes and videos khanacademy.org – gives access to thou sands of video tutorials that explain algebra, geom etry, trigonometry, calculus, sta tistics, finance, phys ics, econom-
ics and more kids.nationalgeogr aphic.com – provide s facts, photos, videos and more ab out countries around the world makemegenius.com – includes brain gam es and kidfriendly videos cove ring a variety of subje cts merriam-webster.c om – offers a collecti on of word games spaceplace.nasa.gov – shows how learning about science and technolog y can be fun neok12.com – provide s videos, lessons, qu izzes and games in subjects su ch as science, math, health, social studies and English pbskids.org – includ es favorite PBS char acters, each with learning games for kids to play smithsonianeducatio n.org – helps kids ex plore, science, nature, places and people, including famous African-Americans studyjams.scholastic .com – provides mult imedia lessons on math and sc ience
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DEFENDER | AUGUST 20 | 2015
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Junk food ads target minority communities By ZENITHA PRINCE Afro Staff
C
ompanies that sell snacks, soda and other high-calorie foods are pouring millions into advertising campaigns that are targeted to Black and Hispanic communities, according to a recent study. Social scientists have long believed that disproportionately aggressive promotion to minorities of nutritionally-poor foods high in sugar, saturated fat and sodium has resulted in higher obesity rates and other health disparities. Now, in a study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of Connecticut, the African American Collaborative Obesity Research Network and Salud America has confirmed that link. The study’s researchers analyzed 26 restaurant, food, and beverage companies, including all companies with $100 million or more in advertising spending in 2013. They examined market research data from Nielsen to identify companies with targeted advertising for minorities, including those who advertised most on Spanish-speaking and Black television networks. Just three companies – Coca-Cola, General Mills, and McDonald’s – were forthright about directly targeting Black consumers, according to the analysis. Still, nearly all the companies analyzed placed some advertising on Black-targeted TV networks, spending a total of $161 million that represented 75 percent of all food-related advertising on these networks. More than half spent above $100 million on television advertising targeted toward majority-Black audiences. Conversely, companies were more outspoken about their targeting of Spanish-speaking consumers and invested more in that niche advertising. “Statements about targeted marketing primarily focused on the growing and increasingly important Hispanic consumer. Some beverage companies also noted their strategy to reach ‘multicultural’ millennials through sponsorships and events,” the report stated. “In addition, many of the large packaged-food companies maintained Spanish-language versions of their websites, and one fast-food company offered separate websites for Black, Hispanic, and Asian American consumers.”
The 26 companies examined spent $675 million in foodrelated advertising on Spanish-language TV, about four-fifths of all food advertising on this medium. Seven companies, including Post Foods, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Wendy’s, and Kellogg, spent more than 10 percent of their TV advertising budgets on Spanish-language programming. Candy and gum/mint brands were especially aggressive in their targeted advertising to both Black and Hispanic consumers. Seventy-eight percent of candy brands surveyed (particularly Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, M&Ms, and Hershey’s) targeted Black consumers, and 31 percent (mostly M&Ms, Snickers, Hershey’s and Twix) targeted Hispanics. “Candy brands represented 9.4 percent of all TV advertising spending for food-related brands, but this category contributed 13.3 percent of food-related spending on Spanish-language TV and 18.3 percent of spending on Black-targeted TV,” the report read. Black children and teens saw at least twice as many ads for gum/mints, soda, and other sugary drinks compared with white children and teens and viewed 70 percent more food-related TV ads overall, according to the analysis.
Anxious? Watch caffeine While caffeine may help you stay alert in the short term, according to a mental health expert at Baylor College of Medicine, it is a well-known cause for excessive anxiety. “Caffeine can trigger anxious reactions and sometimes even panic attacks because it tends to be overstimulating,” said Dr. Sanjay Mathew, associate professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor. Many people do not tend to think about how caffeine is impacting their day-to-day moods, Mathew said. If a person is prone to panic attacks, caffeine can be quite a jolt, possibly triggering or contributing to an attack.
“Over the weekend, people don’t consume as much caffeine and may start experiencing headaches and anxiety, and it may be because they are having caffeine withdrawal,” he said. It’s not unusual for people to consume four or five cups of caffeine per day or even five or six bottles of caffeinated beverages per day. People may forget that drinks such as Mountain Dew have significant amounts of caffeine in them. Mathew says that a good rule of thumb for many people is not to go above 200 milligrams of caffeine per day (about one 12-ounce cup of coffee), and restrict use in the afternoons and evenings to avoid a negative impact on sleep.
classified HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1
Project 15-06-06 – RFP- Rental of HVAC, Pumps and Boiler Equipment – with a deadline of 2 P.M. September 2, 2015. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Hattie Mae White Educational Center Room 2NE32 on August 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org. To access, go to: Departments, Procurement Services, Bid Opportunities. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.
TRANSPORTATION JOB FAIR SPONSORED BY
THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Saturday August 22, 2015 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CFS Operations Building 1417 Houston Avenue Houston, TX 77007 HISD WILL BE CONDUCTING IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: School Bus Drivers $15.70 per hour School Bus Mechanics Mechanic Helpers Transportation Attendants $10.00 per hour Up to $900 Attendance Incentive and $250 Sign On Bonus for new Bus Drivers! Free CDL Training, Guaranteed Route Hours, Flexible schedules, High Tech Buses, Benefits and Retirement available Please bring 2 forms of ID For further information check our website at www.DriveHISD.org or CALL (713) 226-4531 All applicant are subject to verification of work experience, Certification, References, drug testing, and criminal history check, It is the policy of the Houston Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, handicap or disability, ancestry, national origin, marital status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or political affiliation in its educational or employment schedules and activities. Equal Opportunity Employer
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AUGUST 20 | 2015 | DEFENDER
opinion
The legacy of Julian Bond By BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS JR. NNPA Columnist
T
here is an old African proverb that says, “The spirit of a freedom warrior will never die in the enduring life of the village, yet that valued spirit will be passed on to future generations.” Julian Bond was a freedom fighter. He was a gallant leader-warrior for freedom, justice and equality. And his spirit will never die. The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) family pauses to mourn the passing of the civil rights leader. But we also know that it is important to highlight those lasting lessons from Bond’s legacy that apply to today’s struggle for freedom. Brother Bond was a personal friend and colleague in the Civil Rights Movement during the past 50 or more years. He was not only a skillful and articulate orator, but was also a great writer not unlike W.E. B DuBois and James Baldwin. He was a penetrating columnist for the NNPA as he used his pen to stir the consciousness of millions of people about the plight of Black America and others who cried out for equal justice. Bond was one of the early leaders and cofounders of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and worked tirelessly to lead young African-American student leaders across the nation to the forefront of movement. He was a Morehouse College student activist who helped ignite the Atlanta student movement. SNCC successfully shaped how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) saw the value of African-American college students in the vanguard of the freedom movement. “I tell young people to prepare themselves as best they can for a world that grows more challenging every day – get the best education they can and couple that education with reallife experience in social justice work,” said Bond, the son of a famous educator, Horace Mann Bond. The question for today’s generation of African-American youth is: What can be learned from Julian Bond’s living legacy and applied to the Black Lives Matter movement? The importance of having structure, stated principles, and organization were central to Bond’s sense of youth leadership development.
SNCC was militant and outspoken, but SNCC was well-structured. It was not a spontaneous loosely organized student runorganization. One of the reasons why Bond and SNCC were effective in the 1960s was because of their internal discipline and national organizational structure. Of course, today with the Internet and social media being the preferred means of communication among young leaders today in the Black Lives Matter movement, one challenge is how to build a sustainable student and youth led movement for justice with an effective structure and infrastructure. I am confident and admire the progress that the Black Lives Matters movement has already achieved. Learning from the past helps to avoid difficulties of the past. On Bond’s passing, President Barack Obama stated, “Justice and equality was the mission that spanned his life – from his leadership of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, to his founding role with the
Southern Poverty Law Center, to his pioneering service in the Georgia legislature and his steady hand at the helm of the NAACP…Julian Bond helped change this country for the better. And what better way to be remembered than that.” Denise Rolark Barnes, chairperson of NNPA and publisher of the Washington Informer, observed that Bond’s “lifelong dedication and commitment to political and economic empowerment, journalistic diversity and integrity, and educational equality served as a beacon for others to follow. His presence and voice will be sorely missed, but his words remain true for the NNPA: ‘Good things don’t come to those who wait. They come to those who agitate!’ ” We will all strive to keep the living spirit of Julian Bond’s legacy alive in our current and continuing struggle for justice, equality and empowerment. May his valued and respected spirit be passed on to future generations of freedom fighters.
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DEFENDER | AUGUST 20 | 2015
sports
Sam Houston Bearkats on verge of greatness
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By MAX EDISON Defender
here is an adage in sports that some teams rebuild and others simply reload. Perhaps that can be said about the Sam Houston State Bearkats. They were thought to be in rebuilding mode in 2014 under first-year coach K.C. Keeler. When the dust settled, they reloaded en route to a 7-1 conference record, and found themselves in familiar territory – Southland Conference champions and in the semi-finals game of the FCS national championship race. The Bearkats have become one of the nation’s elite FCS football programs. They have made it to the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, losing to North Dakota State in the championship game in 2011 and 2012, and last year in the semi-finals. Sam Houston opens the season ranked No. 3 in the nation by the Stats FCS Top 25 preseason poll and No. 4 in the NCAA’s FCS Coach pre-season poll. Experts have tabbed Sam Houston to win their fourth Southland Conference championship in the last five years. Keeler’s ‘Kats return 54 lettermen, including 21 starters. Junior Jared Johnson is their preseason all-conference quarterback, and sophomore defensive end P.J. Hall is the reigning conference freshman of the year. Also returning are nine offensive starters, 10 defenders and two special team’s players. Keeler reflected on the team’s 2014 campaign, and what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. “Our players grew from our experience last year, starting 1-3 and then ending the year by winning 10 of 11 games,” Keeler said. “They understand about not getting distracted from the goals and taking games one at a time…We have a good group coming back and there are going to be some great battles during training camp. “This year, we know a lot more about ourselves,” Keeler continued. “This is about as deep and a talented a team as I’ve ever coached. There’s competition at every position on our roster and competition makes you a better team. Our players know that if we do the right things, we have an opportunity to do some great things this year.” QB Johnson passed for 3,054 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 999 yards in 2014. He knows they have a bullseye on their back this year. “We know we’re not going to sneak up on anyone this year,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be a great challenge. With so many players coming back, we understand what got us to the championship and the playoffs last year and that is taking things one game at a time. “It’s a different challenge this year but we’re ready. We have a lot of depth this year and all the players understand that they’re going to have to fight for their position.” Defensive end Hall, a preseason FCS All-America selection, concurred with his quarterback. “As the preseason pick, we know that we’re not going to
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Coach K.C. Keeler guides the Sam Houston State University Bearkats.
surprise anyone,” Hall said. “We have to do the same things we did last year that made us successful.” The Bearkats feature one of the nation’s most explosive offenses and became only the ninth team in FCS football history to surpass 7,000 total yards in a single season. An impressive stable of running backs led by seniors Donavan Williams and Ridgeway Frank, junior Jalen Overstreet, sophomore Corey Avery and freshman Remus Bulmer are all set to give opposing defensive coordinators the blues. Hall, defensive lineman Mouf Abedo, linebacker Myke Chatman, and defensive backs Trenier Orr and Mikell Everette will anchor a defense that will be stout against the run as well as the pass. Sam Houston opens the season in Lubbock against Big 12 opponent Texas Tech on Sept. 5. Their home and conference opener will be two weeks later when they host Lamar on Sept. 19 .
Quarterback Jared Johnson (No. 15) compiled impressive statistics last season.
Defensive end P.J. Hall returns after an outstanding freshman year.
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h.s.zone HISD football teams to watch this season (Oct. 3) before opening its District 11-4A Division I ledger against few months Wheatley on Oct. 9 at ago Furr Jones-Cowart Stadium (7 High School p.m.). head football Wheatley and Furr coach Corfollowed eventual Class nell Gray heard the words 4A Division I state no coach ever wants to champion Navasota and hear – that one of his district runner-up Sealy players had died. That’s into the playoffs last what happened when news year. The Wildcats scored reached the school that twice in the fourth quarall-district starting quarter to upend Furr 21-19 terback Michael Smith and clinch third place in had been shot and killed 11-4A. Wheatley has 14 last May. starters back this season, “He was murdered for but Furr has something to nothing,” Gray said at the prove. recent HISD football kickHISD’s lone Class 5A off banquet. “All of us indistrict (20-5A) should cluding coaches, players, provide some interesting faculty, administration and Cornell Gray action this fall. Madison staff were devastated. and North Forest apThe summer started off pear to be the cream of on a bad note.” the crop with both talent Gray said his Other area schools bear watching and experience. Yates football program was has the ammunition for a reeling. However, the dominant defense while state’s 7-on-7 football Jeff Davis and Sharpstown will “We’re in a position competition provided relief and be vying for the fourth and final now that I don’t helped his players move forward playoff berth. to rally around new quarterback “It had been seven years think we’ll be Anthony Mata. “We’re in a posisince Madison last won or shared tion now that I don’t think we’ll be overwhelmed by a district title,” Marlins head overwhelmed by anything we face Pat Reinecke said. “We won anything we face coach this fall,” he said. the district championship outright The Furr coaching staff will be and our kids loved the feeling. this fall.” challenged to find innovative ways We’re not anxious to relinquish – Cornell Gray to get the ball in the hands of allthe title in 2015.” purpose player JaMarcus Bailey. The last tall quarterback with The 5-foot-9, 165-pounder is a a rifle arm at Madison was in threat to score from anywhere on the field. 2001 when Vince Young guided the Marlins to the Furr will open the 2015 season on Saturstate semifinals. Six-foot-6 Erin Thomas will be day, Aug. 29 at Barnett Stadium against Houston the man in the saddle for the Marlins this fall. Austin. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Robin Kirk takes Three years ago (2012) North Forest won 11 over as head coach at Austin following stints as consecutive games to open the season and was a an assistant at Westbury Christian and Reagan. failed two-point conversion attempt away from The former Houston police officer won three state advancing to the third round of the postseason. titles at St. Pius X High School. The Bulldogs have 15 starters, including standout The Furr Brahmans have non-district games receiver Anthony Mitchell (12 TDS), back from scheduled with Jeff Davis (Sept. 4), Sharpstown last year’s district runner-up finish to Madison (Sept. 10), Kipp NE (Sept. 18) and Kashmere and poised to take the next step. By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
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AUGUST 20 | 2015 DEFENDER
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sportsbriefs Snoop’s son quits UCLA’s Cordell Broadus, the son of rapper Snoop Dogg, has decided to quit football. Broadus, a four-star wide receiver recruit out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, never reported to Bruins preseason practice for his freshman year. Broadus selected UCLA over offers from Florida State, Notre Dame and cross-town rival USC. He reportedly will still attend UCLA and pursue a degree in filmmaking. “Cordell informed me that he has decided to pursue other passions in his life, in particular his love of film through his company Film School Productions,” UCLA coach Jim Mora said. “Cordell is an amazing young man with many talents, and we wish him nothing but the best as he continues to pursue his degree at UCLA.”
Trotters drop Generals After 63 years the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters have dropped the Washington Generals as their primary opponents. “All great rivalries come to an end, and as we get set to celebrate our 90th anniversary, we are excited to take on a new opponent,” Globetrotters legend and former University of Houston standout Sweet Lou Dunbar said. “We are looking forward to building a new great rivalry as we entertain families worldwide for years.” According to unofficial records the Generals only beat the Globetrotters once, in 1971 on a buzzer-beating shot. “I got a call about a month ago, and they just told me that that was it,” Generals GM John Ferrari said. The Globetrotters have not announced the Generals’ replacement.
New coaches on sidelines A familiar face returns to the sidelines at Waller High School. Jim Phillips returns as head football coach following a seven-year hiatus. For the last five years Phillips led Dobie High School to the postseason every season. In his previous tenure at Waller, Phillips guided the school to 10 playoff appearances. Waller advanced to the Class 5A Division II area round of the playoffs in 2014 and is poised to make another run to the playoffs in 2015. Phillips is known for utilizing a run-oriented offense. Meanwhile, Steve Svendsen will take his propensity for throwing the football to Caney Creek High School as a first-year head coach. Svendsen, an assistant at Oak Ridge last season, is a former UH graduate assistant under Jack Pardee. He led Watertown to South Dakota’s 2013 state championship game.
Stratford’s Boyd returns Stratford High School running back Raheem Boyd is no stranger to big-time competition. Last season Boyd helped the Spartans defeat perennial state powerhouse Brenham 56-31 at Tully Stadium by rushing for 273 yards to offset 265 yards by the Cubs’ Earnest Patterson. The two schools will meet again on Oct. 9 in Brenham. Patterson, who graduated and headed to Blinn College as the school’s all-time leading rusher, will be replaced by Trumaine Sweed. Boyd has almost 5,000 career rushing yards. Who can forget his performance against Temple in last year’s playoffs? The Wildcats won 47-35 despite Boyd running for 421 yards. Another stern test for Stratford will be on Oct. 29 when the Spartans host Magnolia West.
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DEFENDER | AUGUST 20 | 2015
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
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BLACK CHAMBER MEET & GREET…………..The Greater Houston kicked off with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson’s 10-play cycle Black Chamber (GHBC) hosted a meet and greet for new, current and series of stage readings. Celebrity honorees included the Lifetime Achievement prospective members at the Ensemble Theatre. The event gave entrepreneurs an Award recipient Irma P. Hall, Producer of the Year Attica Locke, Rising Star opportunity to network among peers that could potentially help their businesses. Katlynn Simone, and Founder’s Award recipient Mayor Annise Parker. The Guests mingled and exchanged contact information at the Ensemble and later guest list included Argentina James, Scott Minnix, Jesse Tyson, Alaina ventured to the Alley Kat Bar and Lounge. GHBC board member Courtney Benford, Micheal Helm, Vernon Landers, Jackie Phillips, Paul-David Van Johnson Rose emceed and GHBC president Elaine Barber Atta, Eileen Morris, Kathy Hubbard, Roger Harris and more………….THOMAS JONES’ 60TH BIRTHDAY shared some words of encouragement. Those in attendance Defender TOP EVENTS included Carl McGowan, LaMetrice Dopson, Kenneth BASH………..Thomas Jones’ 60th birthday bash celebrated More photos on defendernetwork.com Collier, Robert Collier, Frederick Barksdale, Annie the businessman, political confidante, Florida A&M alumnus, See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ Lidge, Anita Barksdale, Cynthia Garrison, Levi Benton, community leader, friend and family man. Jones, a partner at with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m. Joe Long, Glenn Outerbridge and host of others……….. the McConnell & Jones LLP Certified Public Accountants ENSEMBLE THEATRE BLACK TIE GALA………A firm, was joined by who’s who in business and the political night inspired to “follow the dream and celebrate the empire” recently took arena. Those in attendance included Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State place as the Ensemble Theatre held its annual black tie gala at the Hilton Rep. Borris Miles, Nathan Jones, Jessica Jones, Thomas Jones Jr., K’Netha Americas-Downtown. The Ensemble celebrated its 39th uninterrupted season Jones, Councilmember Dwight Boykins and wife Genora Boykins, Jarrod and as Houston’s premier African-American performing arts institution. The gala Juana Collins and other friends and supporters.
Courtney Johnson Rose and Elaine Barber
Eileen Morris, Katlynn Simone
Kenneth Collier and Robert Collier
Dan Domeracki, Argentina James, Micheal Helm, Jesse Tyson, Katlynn Simone, Irma P. Hall
Nathan Jones, Jessica Jones, Thomas Jones Jr., K’Netha Jones
LaMetrice Dopson and Carl McGowan
Evelyn Hill, Mayor Annise Parker, Kathy Hubbard, Argentina James, Roger Harris
Thomas Jones Jr., Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Juana and Jarrod Collins
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